President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered security forces to step up measures to ensure the safety of people, especially those trekking to the provinces during  the Holy Week.

In a press briefing, Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza disclosed that “this Holy Week, her instruction is to make sure the provisions for safety for travelers should be there. She gave instructions to the PNP (Philippine National Police) and DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) to make sure the travel of our people is safe.”

Tightening of security measures was ordered by the President in her remote office in St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig where she is watching over sick husband, Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo, whose condition is improving based on latest medical bulletin.

Inspite this positive development on the first gentleman’s situation, Mendoza indicated that the Chief Executive is expected to skip her annual trek to Baguio this Holy Week to be with her husband despite his improving health condition. Like any devoted wife, the President would likely stay with her husband at the hospital until he recovers from his heart ailment, he said.

The President has cancelled her public engagements since her husband was rushed to St. Luke’s hospital last Thursday after complaining of back pains. A private suite at the hospital was converted into the President’s satellite office to continue governance work while keeping watch over her husband.

According to Mendoza, the order for PNP and DOTC is to ensure the safe air, sea and land travel of people observing the Lenten break. The issue of public safety and security is a priority of the government especially during holidays.

So far, he said the government has not picked up any information about imminent terrorist threat in the country this Holy Week when thousands of Filipinos flock to the provinces for quick vacation.

But he assured that the government is on top of the security situation to ease the worries of the public this Lent.

“The security agencies are on guard and will have to address it. In terrorism, they dwell on hurting people when there’s an assembly of too much people. So far, there is no advisory on serious or major threats,” he said.

In line with this, Police Chief Supt. Benjard H. Mantele, Eastern Police District (EPD) director, said additional cops will be deployed in key areas around the eastern side of the metropolis to prevent criminal groups from carrying out their activities especially this Lenten season.

Mantele said under “Oplan Semana Santa” additional cops will be sent in places like churches, bus terminals, malls and other places where people flock to protect them from criminals plying the streets.

Mantele also reiterated his previous directives to his commanders in the field to reactivate police emergency hotlines where people can call for help when the need arises, implement traffic actions plans, and coordinate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to complements their actions plans.

The EPD chief also assured that their anti-crime campaign won’t be affected despite the fact that police force will also hold various Lenten activities to commemorate and celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The EPD, which has more than a thousand members in its fold, has jurisdiction over the cities of Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina, and San Juan.(With a report from Francis T. Wakefield)