(L-R) PRO7 Spokesperson Police Col. Arvie Aserre Paraon-Bueno, LTO7 Assistant Regional Director Arturo R. Apolinar, LTO7 Chief of Intelligence Unit Hakam Y. Nepomuceno, PCG Command Center Central Visayas Director Lt. j.g. Abel Jan V. Lomboy, and LTFRB7 Transportation Development Officer and Information Officer Eugenio Ibo, Jr. discussing their security measures during the observance of Holy Week. (JJT/PIA7)CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) – Over 2,000 police personnel have been deployed across Central Visayas to ensure public safety in anticipation of the upcoming summer vacation.
“Yung deployment po namin nakalatag sa places of convergence. Sa mga place of worship, major thoroughfares, commercial areas, and transportation hubs,” said Police Regional Office 7 (PRO-7) spokesperson Police Col. Arvie Aserre Paraon-Bueno during the Kapihan sa PIA forum in Cebu.
(Our deployment is in areas of convergence—such as places of worship, major roads, commercial areas, and transportation hubs.)
PRO-7 is implementing the Ligtas SUMVAC 2025 (Ligtas Summer Vacation) campaign to ensure public safety and maintain peace and order from April 1 to May 31.
This includes heightened police visibility in tourist areas, transport terminals, and major roads.
The public is advised to secure their homes, avoid carrying large amounts of cash, limit social media posts about travel, and report any suspicious activity.
PCG Quick Response Teams
At the seaports, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has activated its Malasakit Help Desks and is on heightened alert from April 13 to 20 in view of the influx of sea travelers during the Holy Week.
According to Lt. j.g. Abel Jan V. Lomboy, the PCG has also deployed Quick Response Teams (QRTs) composed of emergency, medical, and special operations personnel.
“We are on heightened alert starting on April 13 to 20, as we are anticipating an influx of sea travellers,” said Lomboy.
PCG’s have also deployed K9 units to aid the inspections for inbound and outbound vessels, including checks on life jackets, overloading, and necessary certificates.
Ensuring road safety
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 and Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 are conducting inspections to ensure the roadworthiness of public vehicles.
“Naa sad ta’y mga personnels nga moadto sa terminal for inspection sa mga units,” said Eugenio Ibo, Jr., LTFRB transportation development officer and information officer.
(We also have personnel who will go to the terminals to inspect the transportation units.)
Ibo emphasized that vehicles found with violations may be prevented from operating and that fare matrix posting is also part of the inspection to avoid overcharging.
“Kung naa ta’y makit-an nga certain violation pwede nato sila pugngan sa pagbiyahe,” Ibo said.
(If we find a certain violation, we can stop them from traveling.)
LTO 7 assistant regional director Arturo R. Apolinar also noted that law enforcers will be deployed to inspect public and private vehicles.
Part of the random inspection is the random drug and alcohol testing.
“We also designate law enforcers sa tanang mga ports, terminals, and seaport. I-ensure nato nga ang atong mga pasahero safe, makaabot sa ilang destinasyon nga way problema, walay disgrasiya,” Apolinar added.
(We also deploy law enforcers in all ports, terminals, and seaports. We want to ensure that our passengers are safe and can reach their destinations without any problems or accidents.)
LTO 7 intelligence chief Hakam Y. Nepomuceno reminded the public that road safety is a shared responsibility.
“Among gi-awhag ang mga motorista, driver, operator nga mo-follow ta sa traffic rules and regulations. Ang atong gibuhat dili lang apprehension but also prevention,” said Nepomuceno.
(We urge motorists, drivers, and operators to follow traffic rules and regulations. What we’re doing is not just about apprehension, but also prevention.)
The LTO and LTFRB urged motorists to check their vehicles for roadworthiness, as worn out tires, defective early warning device, wipers, and other defective parts are violations that are subject to penalties.
Safe travel
Ric Sincero Jr., 42, traveled from Cebu City to his hometown in Sagay, Negros Occidental where he will spend his Holy Week break.
He shared that he felt safe while traveling, especially with the presence of police personnel at the Cebu North Bus Terminal.
With the expected surge of passengers during the Holy Week, he also expressed appreciation for the PCG’s assistance at the seaports.
“Tungod sa peak season, maghuot jud ang mga biyahero. Sa part sa Tabuelan Port, makasinati jud ang mga biyahero ug ka-delay sa ilahang Biyahe. Naa ra sad presensiya sa coast guard aron mag assist. Ginapatuman nila ang sa MARINA kabahin sa passenger manifest sa barge o barko aron malikayan ang pag-overloading,” he added.
(Because it’s peak season, there are indeed many travelers. At Tabuelan Port, passengers can expect some delays in their trips. The Coast Guard is also present to assist. They are enforcing MARINA’s policy regarding the passenger manifest on barges or ships to prevent overloading.) (MYP/PIA7 Cebu)
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