00:00 The country's border guards are preparing for the expected increase in the number of passengers who will travel for the Holy Week
00:06 that could reach more than 2 million.
00:09 Passengers are being reminded to go to the borders early to avoid the pandemic.
00:15 Benji Durango is in the center of the news.
00:18 The couple Mary Joy and Leo Pinoso are excited about their trip.
00:24 It's Leo's first time, so they're waiting for John Ley's son
00:28 to take them home for a happy vacation.
00:31 How do you feel being together with your children?
00:36 We're happy.
00:39 I talked to them at the North Port Passenger Terminal in the Port Area, Manila.
00:44 They're with the 860 passengers who will be traveling today on their trip to Iloilo, Bacolod.
00:50 Earlier this morning, the situation in the border was still good.
00:53 There were still many vacancies and no one was sick.
00:57 The exodus was not felt, but the guards were busy.
01:01 According to the Philippine Ports Authority,
01:03 more than 2 million passengers will arrive at all the borders of the country starting this weekend.
01:10 But the PPA warned passengers to go to the borders early,
01:15 up to 4 hours, to avoid any pandemic.
01:21 That's why Father Vicente, a visitor from Cavite,
01:24 also arrived early here at the North Port.
01:27 His trip to Cebu is still tomorrow.
01:29 Why are you so early?
01:32 I don't know if the trip will be easy.
01:36 He won't be going home to Cavite.
01:38 He was told that he can use the terminal to transfer goods.
01:42 There are bathrooms that can be used in case of emergency.
01:46 There's also a drinking fountain for free drinks.
01:48 You can also bring food so you won't be hungry.
01:52 You can also buy from the border if there's one available.
01:54 The border is safe, especially since the PNP and the Port Security
01:58 are working together to ensure the safety of the passengers.
02:01 The PPA and PCG held a high-level coordination meeting
02:06 with other stakeholders.
02:08 They are also part of the preparation for the upcoming Holy Week.
02:12 One of their meetings is the daily help.
02:16 The help to the safety and security of the passengers is centered.
02:20 According to PPA General Manager Jason Tiago,
02:23 everyone should know their duties
02:26 and the solution to any challenge can be laid out immediately.
02:30 The meeting was held in Puerto Batangas
02:32 where the passengers are expected to be transferred to the south.
02:35 The authorities have confiscated some combustible materials.
02:38 We are ready here at the PPA.
02:41 As you can see, we are helping the Philippine Coast Guard.
02:48 We have held high-level coordination meetings
02:58 between the PPA and the Philippine Coast Guard
03:00 to ensure that during this upcoming Holy Week,
03:06 we can improve the processes in our borders
03:10 and our countrymen can travel more safely.
03:15 Benji Durango, for Pambansang TV,
03:18 in the new Philippines.
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