PMO Surigao activates ‘Oplan Biyaheng Ayos’ for Holy Week
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — To ensure the safety and convenience of travelers during the 2026 Lenten season and summer break, the Port Management Office (PMO) of Surigao has officially activated ‘Oplan Biyaheng Ayos.’
The initiative places all ports under a heightened alert status and introduces the ‘malasakit help desks’ to assist the anticipated surge of passengers. On Tuesday, March 31, Port Manager Froilan U. Caturla and Port Police Chief Elvis Daguman conducted a personal inspection of the Surigao Passenger Terminal Building to verify operational readiness.
Manager Caturla said, “To prevent congestion and ensure orderly transit, the PMO has outlined several mandatory protocols.”
The mandatory protocols include the following:
- Streamlined operations. All service counters
will be fully operational during peak hours to minimize queuing. Feedback
hotlines have also been activated for real-time passenger assistance.
- Enhanced security. All passengers must undergo
mandatory security screening before boarding. Security personnel, supported
by 24/7 CCTV monitoring, will maintain high visibility. A “fast lane” has
been established for PWDs, senior citizens, pregnant women, and those with
minimal luggage.
- Facility upgrades. The port will provide 24/7
first aid, clean restrooms, free drinking water, and additional tents and
chairs for waiting areas.
- Inter-Agency Coordination. The PMO is working
closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and maritime law
enforcement to prevent any criminal activity or harassment of travelers
outside the port premises.
- First aid facilities. In coordination with the Philippine Red
Cross, health care workers are on standby as first responders, offering
services such as blood pressure checks.
To ensure
operational efficiency and public safety, all personnel must adhere to the
following security protocols:
- Security and Vigilance. Maintain a heightened
alert status by proactively monitoring high-traffic areas and port
property to protect passengers and staff.
- Staffing and Equipment. Port police stations
must be manned 24/7. Officers on duty must wear functional body-worn
cameras at all times; any equipment malfunction must be reported
immediately.
- Communication and Coordination Stations must
maintain active, publicly accessible phone numbers and email addresses,
prominently displayed on-site and online. Personnel are expected to
collaborate closely with local law enforcement to ensure a unified
emergency response.
- Passenger Service Officers should remain visible and available to
assist travelers with inquiries, providing the guidance necessary to
ensure a smooth and efficient flow of port operations.
Caturla added that PMO Surigao urged passengers to declare metallic objects or industrial tools before X-ray inspections to speed up processing.
Ship agents have also been directed to provide frequent, real-time updates on vessel arrival and departure schedules. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from PPA-PMO Surigao)
