Over 150,000 passengers were recorded to have flocked to various ports nationwide during Maundy Thursday, according to Philstar.com. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) logged 80,874 outbound and 74,039 inbound travelers on the same day, as reported by GMA News Online. Meanwhile, almost 124,000 passengers traveled for the Holy Week break in Western Visayas, according to pna.gov.ph.
As the exodus continues, Philstar.com emphasized the importance of ensuring passengers’ safety during the entire week. The Department of Transportation and its attached agencies, including the PCG and the Land Transportation Office, had been implementing measures to ensure travel safety. These measures ranged from strict inspection of vehicles to providing roving medical units and stationary first aid stations.
However, with the constant threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) called on travelers to be responsible and observe health protocols. DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III reminded travelers to wear masks and face shields, practice physical distancing, and regularly wash their hands. He also advised the public to avoid crowded places and social gatherings.
In Camanava and Quezon City, two of Metro Manila’s largest cities, around 3,000 Holy Week passengers were expected to travel from their bus terminals. According to the Manila Bulletin, the Camanava Integrated Terminal and the Araneta City Bus Port were heavily guarded by personnel from the local government units and the PCG. The said bus ports also implemented strict protocols and measures, including temperature checks, mandatory wearing of masks and face shields, and social distancing.
The Holy Week exodus is an annual event where millions of Filipinos travel to different parts of the country to visit their loved ones and participate in religious festivities. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the government and its agencies have been working to ensure the safety and well-being of the public. From implementing strict health protocols to providing necessary assistance, the government is doing its part to make the week-long occasion as safe and convenient as possible.
