PNP says to boost patrols in major thoroughfares to assist in traffic management, deter road rage
A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel conducts security checks as passengers pass by at the North Port Passenger Terminal in Tondo, Manila on Dec. 31, 2025. (Photo: PCG)
By Martin Sadongdong
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are bracing for a surge of travelers returning to cities as post-holiday land and sea travels ramp up starting Saturday, Jan. 3.
PCG spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab said the agency expects nearly six million passengers to pass through ports nationwide, up from five million last year.
“Compared to last year, we have been monitoring a slightly higher number of passengers starting December 20, and our monitoring will continue until January 4. Last year, we recorded five million passengers and this year we are expecting almost six million,” she said in a radio interview with DZXL News on Friday, Jan. 2.
“We are expecting that starting tomorrow (Saturday) until Sunday, around 500,000 to 750,000 passengers will flood our ports,” Cayabyab added.
From 12 midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday, the PCG recorded 14,282 outbound and 12,408 inbound passengers across various ports while 119 vessels and 42 motorbancas were inspected by all of the 16 Coast Guard districts nationwide.
Cayabyab said no reports of stranded passengers have been received so far although free rides will be offered again if any passengers are stranded due to insufficient commercial vessels, following last Christmas’ practice.
The PCG also pointed out that the overloading of commercial passenger vessels remains strictly prohibited.
It noted that both commercial and private vessels must adhere to capacity limits to ensure the proper use of life-saving equipment, and captains of private vessels are responsible for enforcing these measures.
Cayabyab added that the PCG may cancel or postpone trips based on weather advisories from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
“But today, we do not see any weather disturbances that could cause cancellations. Usually, if a weather signal is raised at the port of origin, along the route, or at the destination, we will definitely cancel the vessel’s trip,” she said.
“Secondly, we also consider gale warnings. Currently, the waves on the northern seaboard are somewhat high. Normally, for smaller vessels, we advise them not to proceed or to stay at the port because the waves can become strong once they leave enclosed areas,” she added.
Cayabyab reminded passengers to buy tickets early and arrive at ports ahead of schedule, follow local directives, wear life vests on motorboats and motorbancas, and comply with security inspections.
She said prohibited items should not be brought on board to ensure a hassle-free journey.
LTFRB steps up inspections
The LTFRB also placed its personnel on heightened alert as millions of commuters return to cities following the long Christmas and New Year holidays.
LTFRB Chairperson Vigor D. Mendoza II said bus companies and other public transport operators were directed to ensure the roadworthiness of their vehicles before resuming full operations.
He said compliance will be checked through random and surprise inspections which will be conducted in coordination with other government agencies.
“Our goal is to ensure not only the roadworthiness of public utility vehicles but also the readiness of drivers,” Mendoza said.
He added that these measures are meant to prevent road crashes.
At least two fatal road accidents were recorded during the Yuletide exodus. Mendoza said the agency is aiming for zero road crashes as passenger volume increases after the holiday break.
The LTFRB also instructed all regional directors to immediately respond to commuter complaints, including reports against “snobbish” taxi drivers who cancel trips due to heavy traffic and long distances, and those who ask for excessive fare rates.
Mendoza said the agency will closely monitor taxi firms and ride-hailing services at bus terminals, seaports, and airports.
“Tututukan natin yung mga reklamo ng pagiging isnabero at pangongontrata ng ilang mga taxi drivers lalo na yung mga nasa airport (We will closely monitor complaints about taxi drivers who refuse passengers and those who engage in overcharging, especially at airports),” he noted.
Passengers were urged to report violations through the LTFRB hotline at 0956-761-0739. Mendoza said the agency will act swiftly on complaints involving public land transportation.
“Lalakas ang loob ng mga tiwaling PUV drivers kung walang magrereklamo. Magtulungan tayo tungkol sa bagay na ito (Corrupt PUV drivers will become bolder if no one complains. Let’s work together on this matter),” the LTFRB chief said.
PNP boosts highway patrols
Meanwhile, police forces across the country were placed on alert as millions of Filipinos begin returning to urban areas after the long holiday break.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said officers will be stationed in bus terminals and major transportation hubs to ensure passenger safety and quickly respond to any incidents, said acting PNP chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
“The return of our kababayan from their home provinces is part of our security plan. Our personnel on the ground were instructed to make their presence felt from bus stations and other transport hubs from the point of origin to the point of destination, especially in Metro Manila and key urban areas,” Nartatez said.
Territorial police units and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) have also been instructed to increase visibility along highways prone to traffic congestion. In Metro Manila, this includes the South Luzon Expressway and North Luzon Expressway.
Coordination with local government units and stakeholders is underway to manage traffic flow.
Authorities will also conduct inspections and enforce road safety measures for buses and other public utility vehicles.
“We are expecting a huge volume of vehicles and this means that we have to anticipate traffic jams. And in this type of situation, the tendency to engage in road rage is high so we want to ensure that we would be able to respond in the soonest possible time for any eventuality,” Nartatez said.
“But the best antidote to road rage is to plan your travel well and to be patient. Wala pong maidudulot ang init ng ulo sa kalsada (Anger on the road achieves nothing),” he added.
Nartatez urged motorists to plan their trips, remain patient, and avoid driving when fatigued or under the influence of alcohol.
He also reminded drivers to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy. He said mental and physical readiness are essential for long journeys to protect both their lives and the safety of their passengers.
“Iwasan nating magmaneho kung puyat or kung may hang over pa dahil buhay ninyo at ng inyong pamilya ang pinag-uusapan dito (Avoid driving when you are sleep-deprived or hungover because your life and your family’s life are at stake),” the cop cop said.
Deutschland im Wetter-Ausnahmezustand
Im Erzgebirge traten zeitweise orkanartige Böen auf
Deutschland startet ungemütlich ins neue Jahr. Sturm, Schnee und Glätte halten weite Teile des Landes in Atem. Besonders an der Nordseeküste und im Norden drohen gefährliche Wetterlagen.
Laut des Bundesamts für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH) soll der Pegel am Freitagmorgen (2.1.) an der nordfriesischen Küste und im Elbegebiet 1,5 bis 2 Meter über dem mittleren Hochwasser (MHW: durchschnittlicher Wert aller Hochwasserstände) liegen. Es wird eine Sturmflut erwartet. An der ostfriesischen Küste und im Wesergebiet wird das MHW einen Wert von 1,5 Metern erreichen.
Der Deutsche Wetterdienst warnte vor der Unwetterlage. In Niedersachsen und Schleswig-Holstein kann es schwere Sturmböen geben. In Wilhelmshaven rät die Feuerwehr Autofahrern dringend, Parkplätze am und rund um den Hafen zu meiden, bis sich die Wetterlage wieder beruhigt.
In Cuxhaven waren Spaziergänger bei stürmischem Wetter unterwegs
Und jetzt wird es richtig weiß. In der Nacht sank die Schneefallgrenze bis ins Flachland. Laut DWD sind 5 bis 10 Zentimeter Neuschnee innerhalb weniger Stunden möglich, vor allem im norddeutschen Tiefland. Es besteht erhebliche Glättegefahr. Besonders im Bergland und im Norden kann außerdem stürmischer Wind wehen. Auch im Süden Deutschlands wird das Wetter winterlicher. Am Freitag und Samstag sind dort gebietsweise Schneefälle zu erwarten, die Temperaturen sinken weiter. Schneeschauer können bis ins Tiefland reichen.
Die Wetterkarte zeigt am Freitag an Nord- und Ostsee heftige Winterstürme. Je dunkler, desto dichter ist Deutschland mit Wolken bedeckt. Die roten Zeichen stehen für Sturm, die blauen für Schnee
Der Sturm sorgte am Neujahrstag bereits für massive Einschränkungen im Schiffsverkehr. In Niedersachsen wurden mehrere Fährverbindungen gestrichen oder verschoben. Auch am Freitag sind Fahrten von und nach Wangerooge und Norderney betroffen. Bei den Verbindungen nach Borkum kann es zu Verzögerungen kommen. Zudem gibt es Ausfälle und Verspätungen auf der Strecke Cuxhaven–Helgoland. Auf dem Brocken gab es Orkanböen von bis zu 130 km/h. Im restlichen Bundesland wurden Sturmböen zwischen 50 und 75 km/h gemessen. Erst zum Samstag soll der Wind langsam nachlassen. Gleichzeitig kommen Schnee und Glätte hinzu. Im Harz oberhalb von 400 Metern wird Dauerfrost erwartet, bis Freitagmittag können dort bis zu 15 Zentimeter Neuschnee fallen.
Auch Thüringen startete mit Regen und starkem Wind ins neue Jahr. Heute sind Schnee- und Graupelschauer möglich, die Temperaturen sinken auf 0 bis 2 Grad. Vor allem im Bergland wird es glatte Straßen geben.
Ähnlich sieht es in Sachsen aus. Es werden viele Wolken, Schneeschauer, Glätte und Höchstwerte um fünf Grad erwartet. Am Wochenende ändert sich daran kaum etwas.
Berlin. Die Merz-Regierung kam seit Mai schwer in Tritt. Interne Streitereien über großen Entscheidungen wie Rente, Grundsicherung oder Verfassungsrichter werden auf offener Bühne ausgetragen. Aber oft sind es vor allem die alltäglichen Dinge, die die Menschen beschäftigen. Der Münchner Merkur von Ippen.Media hat nachgefragt. In der repräsentativen Umfrage* von Media Tenor und Mente Factum zeigt sich, was die Deutschen von Schwarz-Rot erwarten. Gemeinsam mit den Meinungsforschungsinstituten zeigen wir im „Common Sense Index“: Was sagen die Deutschen zu den Themen, die kontrovers in der Politik und in den Medien diskutiert werden. Auf den Grafiken sehen Sie jeweils die Zustimmung zu der Aussage.
Beim Blick auf die Rangliste wird deutlich: Das Thema Rente brennt den Menschen auf den Nägeln. Obwohl Kanzler Friedrich Merz nach heftigem Knatsch mit den jungen Abgeordneten aus seiner Fraktion, sich mit der SPD für die Sicherung der Rente für die ältere Generation entschieden. Das mag den Senioren, die überproportional die Union wählen, gefallen, aber im Common Sense Index zeigt sich ein anderes Bild. Dort wollen 71 Prozent, dass die Situation der jungen Menschen stärker berücksichtigt wird.
Auch die Diskussion um die Reaktivierung der allgemeinen Wehrpflicht sorgt für Diskussionen. Während sich Schwarz-Rot auf ein kompliziertes, mehrstufiges Verfahren einigte, zeigt der Index ein sehr deutliches Bild. Knapp Zweidrittel (64 Prozent) will, dass die Wehrpflicht zurückkommt, wenn es nicht genug Freiwillige gibt.
Die Deutschen lieben ihre Autos und die Industrie leidet. Da ist es wenig überraschend, dass 66 Prozent der Befragten wollen, dass auch nach 2035 weiter Verbrenner-Autos gebaut werden. Mitte Dezember hatte dann auch die EU eingesehen, dass ein Aus ab 2035 schwer umsetzbar ist. Auch nach 2035 sollten jetzt Autohersteller weiter Verbrenner- und Hybrid-Fahrzeuge doch auf den Markt bringen dürfen.
Beim Bürgergeld oder wie es seit Anfang des Jahres heißt – Grundsicherung – sind sich die Deutschen nicht einig. Die Hälfte ist dafür, dass die Sozialleistungen gekürzt werden, um die Staatsschulden zu verringern. Und auch bei der Frage der Brandmauer, also ob CDU oder CSU, mit der AfD in irgendeiner Form zusammenzuarbeiten, sind die Deutschen gespalten. Die Hälfte ist dafür, die andere Hälfte nicht.
Kurz vor Weihnachten ging die Debatte hoch her, ob Deutschland dem Beispiel der Australier und Nord-Europäer folgen sollte und den Umgang mit Social Media für Kinder und Jugendliche bis zum Alter von 16 verbieten: Der Blick auf die Ansicht der Deutschen kommt zum klaren Ergebnis: Ja, bitte umsetzen. 57 Prozent der Deutschen wollen das Social Media Verbot. (Quellen: *Umfrage Dezember 2025, 1500 Befragte)
By Ivy Tejano
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By Fr. Roy Cimagala
Chaplain
Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)
Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
THE story of Anna, already advanced in years and a widow, and who “departed not from temple, by fasting and prayers serving night and day,” (cfr. Lk 2,36-40) somehow reminds of those good old women who spend a lot of time in churches doing all sorts of devout practices and even offering to carry out tasks, often gratis, in parishes.
The younger generation may have some cheeky attitude toward them, but we cannot deny that they, like Anna, actually do a lot of good to all of us. In their own way, they keep and transmit time-honored pious traditions that would truly help alive our spiritual life.
Especially these days when we are often swept away by modern things that tend to detach us from the sources of our religious faith, their example deserves to be given due attention and imitation. Obviously, these pious traditions also evolve in some ways. But they just cannot be ignored.
Traditions are important in our life. They are like structures that help us cope with the different necessities of life. They have been built up from the common experiences of a person and of a society and are passed on from generation to generation.
That’s what tradition means. It’s a matter of handing down certain shared attitudes, practices, lifestyles from one generation to the next. It’s a continuing process that parallels and supports life itself.
Traditions can be personal, family, social, political, historical, cultural, and of course, religious that are in fact the most important. In other words, they correspond to our human needs taken either individually or collectively, spiritually or materially. In short, they cover all aspects of our life.
Traditions help keep life going, facilitating the performance of certain duties and the attainment of certain goals and ideals. They give some consistency to our life, and a reassuring sense of direction and fulfillment.
Since our identity as a person and as a people is often qualified by the traditions we practice, we need to make sure that we have good and healthy traditions, refining and polishing them along the way, or otherwise starting new ones as circumstances warrant.
New traditions somehow are born spontaneously. A certain spirit or ethos must be behind its making after a number of factors and relevant elements come together. There are also those that are quite deliberately engineered. But no new tradition comes about unless it has at least the tacit approval of the majority of the people.
Traditions also form some kind of basis or ground on which a person and a society grows and develops. They can be part of the raw material used for growth. Practically no one and no society can live without some tradition in place in their system. No one starts to develop from absolute zero. He has to begin somewhere.
We should try, however, to adapt traditions to changing circumstances while preserving their essence and spirit, striking a healthy balance between preserving tradition and embracing progress, innovation and positive change.
We should also be respectful of the diverse traditions we can have around, ever mindful of the cultural sensitivities of different communities and avoid appropriating or misrepresenting traditions that are not our own.
We should also engage in open and respectful dialogue with people from different backgrounds to promote mutual understanding and appreciation. Ultimately, a balanced approach that combines respect, critical evaluation, and cultural sensitivity can help us navigate the complexities of tradition and its role in shaping our lives and communities.
