Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP and the local government units to be ready with appropriate security measures to ensure public safety during the observance of the Holy Week.

Abalso gave the same instruction to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

“Sa inaasahang pagdagsa ng libo-libo nating mga kababayan sa kanilang mga probinsya, inatasan ko ang PNP, BFP at mga local government units (LGUs) na manatiling naka-alerto para matiyak na magiging mapayapa, maayos, at ligtas ang obserbasyon ng Semana Santa sa buong bansa, (With  thousands of our countrymen expected to go to the provinces, I directed the PNP, BFP and the local government units to be on alert status to ensure a safe, orderly and secure Holy Week observance in the whole country),’’ Abalos said in a statement.

Abalos said police visibility will be ensured in the crowded areas of convergence like churches, pilgrim sites, terminals, ports and airports including shopping malls, parks and recreational areas to keep the police on a public close watch.

“Binigyan din natin ng direktiba ang PNP na makipag-ugnayan sa mga lokal na opisyal sa pagmomonitor at paglalagay ng checkpoint sa mga lugar na itinuturing na “hotspot” kung saan mataas ang political violence (We also gave the PNP a directive to coordinate with the local officials in monitoring and putting up of checkpoints in the places identified as “hotspots’’ where there are increase cases of political violence,’’ Abalos continued.

“Nakahanda rin ang BFP na magbigay ng tulong sa mga biyahero sa panahon ng emergency tulad ng sunog. Pinaalalahanan din ang mga biyahero na siguraduhing walang nakasaksak na appliance bago umalis ng bahay upang makaiwas sa sunog (The BFP is prepared to assist the passengers during emergency cases like fire incidents. We remind the travelers to ensure that no appliances are plugged in before leaving their residence to prevent fire occurrences),’’ he added.

The DILG chief also instructed the LGUs to coordinate with their local traffic enforcers, barangay tanod (village security personnel), local Peace and Order Councils (POCs), volunteers and other force multiplier in planning for the preparation with the expected influx of people in their respective localities.