Police and transport authorities have ramped up preparations in Cebu and nationwide ahead of the Christmas travel rush, deploying additional personnel and reopening satellite terminals to manage the expected surge of travelers.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) placed all units on high alert as millions of Filipinos prepare to travel to their home provinces this holiday season.
Acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. directed local police units to implement enhanced security measures and increase visibility across ports, terminals, major roads, and transport hubs nationwide.
Nartatez emphasized careful planning and dynamic adjustments in personnel deployment to address real-time conditions on the ground.
“Our security measures are in place and part of them is the regular adjustments based on the situation on the ground. As expected, there have been a noticeable increase in the number of people in the terminals and the roads leading to transportation hubs, and we have been directing our personnel and resources in these areas to ensure public safety,” he said.
The PNP will deploy more than 100,000 officers nationwide for the Christmas and New Year period, significantly higher than last year’s 60,000.
These personnel will secure transport terminals, major roads, business districts, and residential areas, and provide round-the-clock assistance to travelers.
Local police units have also been instructed to coordinate closely with terminal authorities and other law enforcement agencies to prevent incidents and respond swiftly to emergencies.
Nartatez urged the public to follow travel rules, cooperate with authorities, and immediately report any peace and order concerns.
“Our personnel will be on duty 24/7 to ensure safe travel and maintain security throughout the Christmas season,” he said, assuring that law enforcement resources would be strategically positioned to safeguard both commuters and communities.
In Cebu, the Cebu North Bus Terminal (CNBT) and Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT), along with several auxiliary terminals, have been reactivated to accommodate the growing number of homebound passengers.
Terminal administrator Ahmed Cuizon said passenger traffic is expected to peak on December 22 and 23, as well as December 29 and 30.
To prevent overcrowding, authorities reopened satellite terminals that were previously used during Kalag-Kalag Week.
Southbound travelers can use the Ceres Transport garage in Barangay Kinasang-an, Pardo, and the Sunrays Transport garage in Barangay Mambaling, while northbound passengers may board at loading zones near UN Avenue, the Marcelo Fernandez Bridge in Barangay Paknaan, and the Ceres Transport garage in the North Reclamation Area.
Cuizon urged commuters to use these alternative terminals to avoid long lines at CNBT and CSBT, noting that the approach had successfully eased congestion in past peak seasons.
Coordination meetings with bus operators, terminal supervisors, and the Cebu City Transportation Office have been conducted to finalize traffic and personnel deployment plans.
Additional security, health, and crowd control personnel from the provincial government, police, and health offices are also deployed to maintain order and safeguard passengers.
