PNoy inspects Holy Week security preps in airports, bus terminals

(Updated 6:06 p.m.) President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday personally inspected ports, airports, and bus terminals to check the government's preparedness for the exodus of Metro Manila residents to provinces during the Holy Week break.

Aquino first went to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 where he was given a walking briefing on the status of passenger volume and traffic and airport security and assistance measures.

He was accompanied by Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya.

After this, he visited NAIA Terminal 4 and the North Passenger Terminal Complex in Manila where he checked several facilities and greeted passengers.

He also inspected the flow of passengers at the Five Star Bus Terminal and JAC Liner Terminal in Quezon City.

Earlier in the week, the President also led a command conference in Camp Crame to discuss the security preparations for Holy Week.

Satisfied

In an ambush interview with reporters, Aquino said he was pretty satisfied with what he saw during the inspection. "Nakita naman natin na sinundan iyong ating mga guidance [natin] at pinaasenso na [ang mga pasilidad]," he said.

He said that when he first visited the North Passenger Terminal Complex after assuming his post, all the monitors were monochromatic. He said these, as well as screening devices, have been updated.
 
"Ngayon talagang moderno na, iyong kaya nung device na i-highlight iyong mga suspicious articles na dapat bigyan pansin nung ating mga inspector," Aquino said.

But noting the large volume of passengers passing through the country's airports, Aquino admitted that there is much work to do, citing the rehabilitation work at NAIA Terminals 3 and 4 and other highly frequented provincial airports.
 
"So, habang dumadami, lumalaki ang ekonomiya, dumadami ang pagkakataon ng ating mga kababayan na lumakbay. Siyempre kailangang sumabay iyong mga pasilidad ng gobyerno at ng pamahalaan at iyon ang tinatrabaho natin," he said.

The President said that last year, around five million tourists entered the country, and that it may soon reach 10 million.  Even domestic arrivals, he said, have increased. —KBK, GMA News