The Manila Times
POLICE presence in key transportation hubs in Metro Manila and tourism hotspots across the country has been intensified as more travelers trooped to bus terminals and sea ports for the Holy Week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement the increased police presence is part of the heightened alert status which took effect on March 29. Around 2.4 million travelers are expected at sea ports across the country, while airport authorities see around 1.3 million passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for the entire Holy Week break. Nartatez said that while security is tight, the goal is to keep the flow of people moving. “Travelers can expect tight but efficient security screening. Our kababayan can also expect Police Assistance Desks (PADs) for quick and reliable response to all the requests for assistance of the travelers,” he said. The PNP is also bracing for the heavy volume of private vehicles on expressways and national highways. Nartatez reminded the public that safety starts with individual responsibility, and urged motorists to double-check their vehicles before heading out for a long drive. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), meanwhile, expects a 7 to 10 percent increase in passenger traffic this Holy Week, projecting 550,000 travelers across its operated airports compared to 505,511 passengers during the same period in 2025. The agency has directed all area and airport managers to implement heightened operational readiness, including increased personnel deployment, stricter security protocols, and continuous passenger monitoring to ensure safe and efficient airport operations nationwide. Help desks will be set up at major airports to assist passengers to ensure a seamless travel experience. "We want to assure the public that all CAAP-operated airports are fully prepared to handle the surge in passenger volume, with measures in place to ensure safe, smooth, and convenient travel for all," said CAAP Director General Raul del Rosario. He said airports will be on heightened alert from March 28 until April 5. It reminded the traveling public to arrive at the airport at least two to three hours before their scheduled departure, check real-time flight updates with airlines, and see to it that all travel documents are prepared in advance. The aviation regulator operates 42 airports. Four major gateways — NAIA, Mactan-Cebu, Clark, and Subic — are managed by separate authorities, though CAAP still maintains regulatory and air traffic oversight.
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