EXPECT stricter baggage inspection at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) as over 300,000 passengers head to southern Cebu for the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days on Thursday and Friday.

In a press conference yesterday, CSBT Manager Jonathan Tumulak said one of the security measures is mandatory baggage inspection in all entrances of the terminal.

Tumulak wants the measure strictly enforced to prevent criminal elements from smuggling illegal contraband through the buses.

Last July, personnel from the police and the Philippine Coast Guard apprehended three persons in Samboan after they attempted to smuggle 46 unregistered firearms by boat.

The alleged gun smugglers were able to ferry the firearms via a bus at the CSBT.

To prevent a similar incident, Tumulak has instructed all security personnel in the terminal to thoroughly check baggage.

Metal detectors in the terminal’s two entrances will do the initial check before a mandatory frisking. Checking of bags will be done manually by security personnel.

K-9 units of the Police Regional Office 7 will also check on baggage that are already placed in buses to ensure that illegal contraband doesn’t get through, Tumulak said.

The CSBT manager also instructed the drivers and conductors of 300 passenger buses and minibuses to report suspicious elements on board.

He also reminded passengers to avoid leaving their bags at the terminal or at the bus to avoid being suspected.

“Kung naa man gani makit-an nga bag ug bagahe nga walay nangankon nga tag-iya, gi-instruct na namo ang mga drivers ug conductors nga dili pahilabtan hangtud nga maabot ang mga police para mosusi (In case they see a bag that’s left behind without an owner, the drivers and dispatchers were briefed not to touch the bag and just wait for the police to arrive),” Tumulak added.

Aside from passengers going to Southern Cebu, CSBT personnel are expected to cater to passengers from outside Cebu as well.

Buses for those going to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), Zamboanga, Bacolod and Dumaguete are on standby at the CSBT.

With more passengers expected to flock to the terminal, officials tapped the assistance of 11 local government units to provide free rides for their constituents that may be stranded.

The LGUs that committed to provide free rides are the cities of Carcar and Naga and the towns of Alegria, Oslob, Barili, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Boljoon, San Fernando, Moalboal and Daanbantayan.

Meanwhile, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) and GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) are jointly implementing Oplan Ligtas Biyahe-Undas 2018 from Oct. 29-Nov. 5 in anticipation of the influx of passengers.

MCIAA, which owns the airport, is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC), while GMCAC is a private operator managing the terminal and ramp area of the airport.

MCIAA General Manager Steve Dicdican said all security and safety units are placed on heightened alert status for a sufficient 24/7 manning of security personnel and to guarantee immediate response to any untoward incidents within the airport during the holiday period.

GMCAC Chief Executive Advisor Andrew Aquaah Harrison said they are anticipating more passengers traveling with their families in observance of this “solemn and deeply-rooted tradition.”

“We ensure to provide an efficient service for them so that they can proceed to their respective destinations safely and comfortably,” Harrison said.

Since last Oct. 29, help desks jointly manned by customer service staff, security personnel and medical teams were put up at the domestic and international arrival areas to assist the passengers traveling from or to Cebu.

The Oplan is also in coordination with airline operators, including retail concessionaires, to ensure the efficient processing of passengers to avoid heavy queuing especially at the check-in counters. (EOB, JKV)