CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — Government agencies in Oriental Mindoro are preparing measures to ensure the safety and orderliness of travel with the expected influx of passengers during the observance of Holy Week.
Taking the lead for the preparations are the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Oriental Mindoro.
Among the key facilities ready to accommodate travelers is the Port Terminal Building in Calapan City, which can hold up to 3,500 passengers.
According to Port Manager Jon Gabriell Manansala of PPA-Port Management Office (PMO) Mindoro, their office began preparations weeks in advance to guarantee a smooth and secure travel experience for passengers.
“We regularly conduct yung meetings namin with our stakeholders, shipping lines, and other government agencies involved, so as to ensure na yung traveling experience ng ating mga kababayan, especially during the peak season, ay maging seamless and as safe as possible. As early as two weeks ago, even a month ago, nagsimula na kami ng aming mga routinary inspection, this is to plan ahead para makita namin ang areas for improvement,” Manansala said.
In addition to the Calapan Port, other ports across Mindoro, including those in Occidental Mindoro, have also been readied. Personnel and equipment have been deployed to ensure the safety of passengers across all ports.
Manansala also reminded travelers to observe proper travel protocols and avoid prohibited practices while commuting to and from the island.
Manansala added “General reminders nalang din siguro, kagaya ng lagi namin sinasabi, if possible please secure your bookings ahead of time, at iwasan ang pagdala ng prohibited items dito sa ports natin kagaya ng deadly weapons; illegal items such as drugs, flammable items; para maiwasan ang aberya at abala dito sa loob ng port. Kami naman dito sa PPA we’re always going to ensure na ang inyong magiging experience traveling during peak season ay magiging seamless at safe.”
Meanwhile, Oriental Mindoro PDRRM Officer Vinscent Gahol emphasized the importance of family preparedness during this season.
“Dapat bawat pamilyang Mindoreño ay may kahandaan sa lahat ng hazards na meron tayo dito sa ating lalawigan, partikular ngayong Semana Santa at summer vacation. Patuloy naming inaadvocate ang pagkakaroon ng Go bag ng bawat pamilya kase sa lahat ng hazard, sa lahat ng disaster na pwede nating maranasan, makakatulong yung Go bag na nakahanda natin,” Gahol said. (JJGS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
