Lent not for bikini shows - Palma

CEBU, Philippines - Lent is not for bikini shows, beauty pageants and cultural shows according to Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

The prelate urged the people to pray and self-reflect during this season instead of attending activities not related to the religious observance.

“Why do it in Holy Week? Everybody knows this is really meant for reflection and prayer. There are times we can do other cultural presentations or beauty pageants but the Holy Week should be a time for prayer and reflection and a time also to be close to God,” Palma said.

On the other hand, the Oplan Ligtas Biyahe: Kwaresma 2013 was formally launched yesterday with the Cebu Port Authority as the lead agency in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, Maritime Police, Maritime Industry Authority, Cebu City Traffic Operations and Management, shipping companies and public transport groups.

CPA manager for port security, safety and environmental management director Oscar Lopez said that the public should be aware of their security preparations and what to do for their convenience.

According to a memorandum issued by Transportation Undersecretary Eduardo Oban Jr., the monitored travel period is from March 22 to April 2, 2013.

But PCG-Cebu Coast Guard station commander Weniel Azcuna said that staring today, they will activate public assistance center in all ports in the Province of Cebu.

Coast guard personnel will be augmented in strategic areas such as in Hagnaya Port and in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island in northern Cebu.

They will also conduct flag state inspection to ensure sea worthiness of vessels.

Aside from monitoring overcrowded vessels, Azcuna said they are also concentrating on mechanical side and competency of crew.

Waterfront police deputy chief for administration, Insp. Percival Miasco, said they will establish public assistance center in port 1, 2 and 3 starting March 25.

Miasco also warned passengers not to be fooled by dispatchers selling fake or expired tickets.

The CPA is undertaking renovation of passenger terminal in Pier 1 prompting Lopez to urge passengers to come earlier so that they can be accommodated at Pier 3 and a shuttle service will ferry them to awaiting vessels.

The CPA will also deploy passenger relations officers to make sure senior citizens, persons with disabilities and nourishing mothers will be accommodated at the terminal.

To avoid delay, Lopez also called on passengers not to bring prohibited items such as bladed weapons and firearms.

Supt. Alvin Piad of the PNP Maritime Unit also called on police and military personnel to be in complete uniform should they carry firearms considering that election gun ban is being enforced.

MARINA 7 supervising ship building officer Rico Magsalay urged shipping operators to secure special permit if they will have extra trips.

Ryan Benjamin Yu, chairman of the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Cooperative, also assured convenience of passengers going and from the ports.

Joy Tumulak, deputy for operations of CITOM said that more traffic personnel and patrol cars will be deployed on March 25 at the port  to monitor critical areas identified by CPA particularly pier 5 and 6. — (FREEMAN)