Airport and seaport authorities in Negros Oriental are ready to secure the influx of travelers and returning residents during the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (Undas) holidays and the Christmas season.

Officials shared their security strategies for the expected surge in foot traffic during a media forum.

Allan Punay, manager of the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport and local chief of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), said they are operating with the assistance of other government law enforcement units, intelligence agencies and private security.

“Generally, our primary function at the CAAP Dumaguete airport is to manage the proper implementation of safety and security protocols within the airport,” Punay said, adding that recent simulation drills will assist in disaster management and response.

The airport currently handles 10 outgoing and 10 incoming flights daily, with some 1,200 departing and arriving travelers each day.

Punay said he requested airline operators to refrain from scheduling flights too close to prevent overcrowding.

Commodore Christopher Auro, commander of the Coast Guard District Southern Visayas, said Malasakit Help Centers will be set up at ports due to the expected higher foot traffic. The initiative is organized with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Bureau of Customs.

Auro guaranteed that they would not permit overloaded ships to set sail. He also advised passengers to track weather updates as the Coast Guard will automatically cancel sea travel as soon as Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is raised.

PPA-Negros Oriental and Siquijor station commander Dodge Christian Cagaanan urged the public to buy tickets from legitimate sellers to avoid falling prey to fixers, who often victimize 11th-hour purchasers. (PNA)