This Week in Bacolod (April 14 to 20, 2019)

This week starts with clear to partly cloudy skies. Stray showers are expected to develop on Monday. Following a gloomy Tuesday, light rainfall with chances of a thunderstorm is expected to be around until Friday. Meanwhile on the weekend, there will be plenty of sun coming. Overall, the City of Smiles will still experience warm air with a temperature range of 33 °C to 35 °C [1].

In preparation for the Holy Week break, the DOTr will implement “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2019” to prioritize safety and provide a comfortable commuting experience for the riding public. This initiative will take effect from April 8 to 25 [2].

In relation to this project, Public Utility Buses (PUBs) will be given special permits by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in order to operate during the peak season. To date, there are 484 special permit petitions released for 1,133 bus units. These buses will travel in Northern and Southern Luzon, Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao. The special permits will only be valid from April 14 to 22.

For complaints and other transportation-related queries, DOTr will also provide passenger assistance desks in major ports, terminals, and airports all over the country [2]. These desks will also provide various services such as emergency medical assistance, food, and free calls to landline and mobile phones.

In order to keep motorists and commuters safe this summer and Lenten season, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will provide 4,500 police assistance desks/centers (PADS) nationwide as part of the “Oplan Ligtas Sumvac 2019'. It is currently manned by 25,723 police personnel [3].

In addition to that, the PNP urges the people to follow safety tips while traveling in private cars, such as following the BLOWBAGETS checklist (Battery, Light, Oil, Water, Brakes, Air, Gas, Engine, Tires and Self) before leaving and keeping vehicle documents and the driver’s license for check points. For all travelers, they also advise not wearing expensive jewelry while traveling, unplugging all appliances in the house before leaving, and refraining from posting their current location and all the details of their travels, including flight numbers and the like. PNP also warns the public to take extra care when swimming in beaches and swimming pools to avoid drowning incidents.

PNP can be reached through their social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook and through the “Isumbong Mo Kay OCA” initiative via 0917-8475757.

Since summer has started, many people are now flocking to swimming pools and beach resorts for getaways. In Bacolod City, Mayor Evelio Leonardia ordered the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to enforce CO 749 or the hiring of certified lifeguards to conduct random inspections in swimming pools and beach resorts in the city [4]. As such, personnel from CDRRMO will be deployed in all registered resorts in cooperation with the Permits and Licensing Division.

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