Holy Week boat passengers urged: Buy tickets early, be ready for tight port security

The government line agencies led by the Office for Transportation and the Cebu Port Authority, discuss the security measures implemented in Cebu ports for the Holy Week. |Gresheen Gift Libby

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Passengers are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance for their boat trips and to be at their assigned terminals three hours before their scheduled trip as authorities tighten security in Cebu ports  for the expected onrush of passengers for the Holy Week.

Neil Sanchez from the Office for Transportation Security of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Port Police Lieutenant Colonel Glenn Sarado of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) made this call during the press briefing for the Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2019 on Thursday, April 11, at the Cebu Port Authority office.

The reminders are for the commuting public to avoid hassles like the long lines to get their tickets and to be arrive on time for their trips as they anticipate also the traffic going to the ports.

Sarador said that they would be controlling the vehicles inside the port.

“This is to avoid a gridlock,” he said. “Our security personnel will be posted in the approach of the port to ensure that the vehicles entering the port will be controlled. This is to ensure the safety and security of our passengers.”

Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2019 is an initiative of the Department of Transportation to heighten the security to provide a safe and smooth commuting experience for passengers during the Holy Week. 

Several representatives from line agencies attended the press briefing where they addressed concerns regarding the security of the port terminals in Cebu.

The Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2019 will be implemented from April 8 to April 25.

Earlier, the Cebu Provincial Tourism Office has also started meeting with law enforcement agencies to discuss the security measures for the Holy Week in the province.

Read more: Cebu tourism stakeholders prepare for Holy Week, summer visitors

Sanchez discussed about the security levels to be implemented in the ports.

“There are different levels of security,” Sanchez said. “We are currently in Security Condition 1 with enhanced security measures.” 

He also said that during Holy Week, they would be levelling it up to Security Condition 2.

According to Sanchez, for security level 1, this is a normal condition at the port, where only the usual inspection of baggage and mandatory removal of shoes will be implemented.

For security condition 2, he said, that removal of shoes, and metal items in one’s baggage and tighter security would be implemented as well.

He also said that the highest security condition or level would be security condition 3 but this would only be implemented in cases of terrorism.

He said for security condition 3, there would be complete lockdown of the port and more security forces would be deployed.

“Security is everyone’s concern,” he said as he encouraged the public to cooperate in implementing the security measures in the port.

For their part, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7), whose representatives also attended the press briefing, will deploy more K-9 teams and more security personnel.

Leia Albiar-Alcantara, PDEA-7 information officer, said that these measures would be implemented because there might be a possibility that some passengers might be bringing in drugs.

Aside from that, the CPA will  also set up Passenger Help Desks and Malasakit Help Desks (MHD), where passengers can report any suspicious activities or items in the terminal.

“We really need the help of the public,” Alcantara said. 

“Especially the Holy Week, we urge everyone, katung mga passengers (the passengers) to be conscious of your surroundings, kung naa’y mga  (if there are ) suspicious diha nga individuals or if there are suspicious activities. Please report it immediately to the authorities, ang atung PNP,” she said.

“Take advantage of these help desks, be aware lang gyud. Dako kaayo na’g matabang sa mga (It will be a big help to) law authorities nato for the public to participate,” Alcantara said./dbs