MMDA, BI, CAAP prepare for Undas passenger surge

MANILA — Transportation and security agencies are ramping up preparations for the expected influx of passengers during the Undas period, with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) deploying thousands of personnel and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) anticipating around 4 million airport passengers.

The MMDA will deploy 2,419 personnel for Oplan Undas, while implementing a no-day-off and no-absent policy on Oct. 29 and 30 and Nov. 3, MMDA Traffic Enforcement Group Director Victor Nunez said.

Nunez said heavy passenger traffic is expected at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City; EDSA-Tramo in Pasay City; and Caloocan.

“Maglalagay kami ng mga help, assistance desks at pati na rin ‘yung mga naka-stand by na medics namin, mga ambulansya,” Nunez said.

Tow trucks have also been pre-deployed to respond to vehicle breakdowns and minor road incidents that could worsen traffic congestion, he added.

The MMDA will also secure five major cemeteries: Manila North Cemetery, Manila South Cemetery, Bagbag Public Cemetery, Loyola Memorial Park and San Juan Public Cemetery.

Traffic rerouting schemes will be implemented in the areas surrounding these cemeteries on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, Nunez said.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI), meanwhile, said it has sufficient personnel to handle the expected increase in international travelers, with additional officers being deployed at international airports.

BI spokesperson Anisha Hadji Hassan said rapid response teams are on standby in case additional manpower is needed, while officers’ vacation leaves will be limited from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3.

Electronic gates, or e-gates, will also be used to help speed up immigration processing, she said.

Hassan advised travelers to arrive at airports early, ensure their travel documents are complete and ready for inspection, and accomplish their e-Travel registration before departure.

“Ihanda rin ang kanilang mga sarili sa mga katanungan ng ating mga officers para sa mas efficient na processing,” she said.

The BI has also deployed closed-circuit television cameras and monitoring equipment to track passenger traffic at international airports. Hassan said the agency would post real-time updates on its Facebook page.

“Marami na tayong na-deploy na mga high quality na mga CCTVs and monitoring equipment, laging naka-monitor ang Bureau of Immigration sa dami ng pasahero o ‘yung dagsa ng pasahero, ‘yung passenger traffic sa bawat international airports,” Hassan said.

The CAAP is anticipating around 4 million passengers at airports under its supervision during this year’s Undas, up from 3.7 million recorded last year, CAAP Public Information Officer Bea Bernardo said.

Preparedness measures have been activated, including heightened airport security, additional security personnel, more visible airport staff, help desks and medical teams, she added.

Bernardo appealed to passengers to cooperate with security procedures, even if these result in longer processing times.

“Nakikiusap po kami sa kooperasyon ng ating passengers kasi alam po namin ‘pag naghihigpit kami mas tumatagal ‘yung proseso pero kailangan po namin ito ipatupad para masiguro po namin ‘yung kaligtasan n’yo sa mga paliparan,” she said.

Passengers were advised to arrive at airports at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights to allow enough time for check-in and security procedures.