‘Jam-packed but orderly’

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) described yesterday as "orderly" the situation in various Metro bus terminals despite the huge number of travelers to the provinces.

DOTC Undersecretary Arturo Valdez said most bus owners have put in place security measures. He added that most passengers were generally patient and did not complain about the strict bag inspection implemented by the security personnel at the terminals.

"I think the public has realized that it is for their own good," he added.

Valdez, along with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chief Dante Lantin, went around several bus terminals in Metro Manila to check the situation.

Valdez said they observed that bus stations have adequate personnel in charge in the issuance of tickets and supervision of passenger loading and unloading.

According to Jaime Legaspi Jr., head of the DOTC-Action Center, there were no untoward incidents reported to the agency.

As agreed upon, the DOTC oversees the situation in bus terminals while the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is in charge of traffic management in the metropolis.

Legaspi added that at least eight field personnel from the DOTC and non-government organizations have been tapped to monitor each of the 22 major terminals to ensure an orderly situation there.

"So far, there was no untoward incident reported to us. I hope this will be the situation until commuters return. We will continue to monitor the terminals," he said.

Meanwhile, traffic along the roads leading to the cemeteries yesterday was slower than a funeral march.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando said that due to the sheer number of people visiting their dearly departed, traffic along roads to various cemeteries in Metro Manila was either slow moving or heavy.

Among the affected areas are the A. Bonifacio/Camachile Road in Novaliches, Quezon City; Dimasalang, Retiro, J. Abad Santos and Rizal Avenue in Manila; and Nichols Interchange and Bicutan heading toward Sucat, Parañaque.

Aside from the roads leading to cemeteries, roads with bus terminals also experienced heavy traffic. Buses moving in and out of terminals, taxi cabs and private vehicles dropping off their passengers piled up along EDSA, causing approaching traffic to slow down.

This scene was repeated in bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City and Tramo in Pasay City.

Traffic was also a problem at the Cloverleaf area in Quezon City where vehicles bound for the provinces north of Metro Manila made their exit.

Fernando said that apart from the traffic situation, the cemeteries were generally peaceful and orderly. More than 6,000 operatives of the MMDA, Philippine National Police, local government units and volunteers were deployed to assist people visiting the cemeteries.

In Makati, chief of police Supt. Jovito Gutierrez advised residents to inform the local police or barangay tanods whenever they leave their homes unattended so they could pay particular attention to these areas when conducting their patrols.

Thieves traditionally prey on empty houses during this time of year, he said. – With Marvin Sy