Nepa Q-Mart, Quezon City stop of EDSA bus carousel (PNA photo)
MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will intensify security measures in all roads and public transportation when Filipinos cast their ballots on Monday.
The DOTr announced the activation of “Oplan Byaheng Ayos: Implementation of Heightened Alert Status during the National and Local Elections 2022” to ensure the “health, safety, security, reliability, and comfort of passengers” on election day.
“With "Oplan Biyaheng Ayos", all DOTr units guarantee the riding public safe, reliable, and comfortable transportation, whether by land, sea, or air, as they proceed to their respective towns, cities, or provinces to cast their votes on Monday,” the DOTr posted on social media.
DOTr sectoral offices and attached agencies are on “24/7 coordination, monitoring, and real-time reporting of activities and incidents” from Thursday to Tuesday (May 10).
“Desks, booths, counters, and centers serving passengers shall also be properly manned during operating hours to prevent long queues,” the DOTr said.
Advisories and other informational materials will be posted in various transport hubs to inform the public on the schedules of different modes of transport, safety, and security precautions.
“The task force also required the dissemination of safety tips, common types of violations, and safety/security regulations at airports, seaports, and other transportation hubs,” the DOTr said.
The program took effect through a memorandum signed by DOTr Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Officer-in-Charge for Special Concerns, Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr., that directs all “sectoral offices and attached agencies” of the DOTr to be on heightened alert.
On the other hand, MMDA Chair Romando Artes said nearly 90 personnel will be deployed from May 8 to 21 to man traffic within the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, where the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) will canvass the votes for national posts.
"Traffic congestion in the area is expected as it will coincide with some graduation rites at PICC Plenary Hall. Hence, we will deploy personnel to ensure the smooth flow of traffic," Artes said in a statement.
The MMDA will work with the Commission on Elections, Southern Police District, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Pasay local government for “other administrative and operational activities in the area”.
Magdalena Jalandoni Street inside the PICC Complex from Gil Puyat Avenue to Vicente Sotto Street will be closed to vehicles within the same dates.
Traffic road signages will be installed by the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center on the northbound portions of Macapagal and Diokno Boulevards to guide motorists.
Artes advised motorists to take alternate routes and avoid affected areas.
To ensure the availability of transport options during the elections, the MMDA suspended the modified unified vehicular volume reduction program, commonly known as number coding, on Monday.
All vehicles, including those with plate numbers ending in 1 and 2, will be allowed to pass through Metro Manila’s major roads during the coding hours 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (PNA)
