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5m to head out of Metro

Agencies brace for Holy Week exodus; Pag-asa warns of high heat index By Joel E. Zurbano

ROUND 5 million people are heading to their home provinces via land, sea, and air this year for the annual Holy Week exodus, government and transport officials said Tuesday.

But travelers and “staycationers” alike must deal with the rising temperatures of summer and high heat indexes, particularly in Metro Manila, the state weather bureau warned. About 2.7 million people are expected to travel to and from provinces via the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange and Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Department of Transportation said. Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority expects that its forecast of 2 million passengers in various

ports nationwide will be eclipsed by early Wednesday. As for private land vehicles, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said there will be no number coding beginning Holy Wednesday until Monday next week. The number coding scheme is automatically lifted on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, both declared as regular holidays, and on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday. There is no number coding scheme on Saturdays and Sun-

ADVISORY In observance of the Holy Week, Manila Standard will have no issues on Maundy Thursday (March 28) through Easter Sunday (March 31). We will resume publication on Monday, April 1, 2024.

VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 46 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2024

ANIMAL WELFARE. A member of the animal welfare group PETA lies naked onf a barbecue grill across Quiapo Church in Manila.

‘Make a mess,’ Pope Francis tells the young ON THE fifth anniversary of his Apostolic Exhortation, “Christus vivit (Christ is alive)” on Holy Monday, Pope Francis reminded young Catholics worldwide to remain in “friendship with Christ” by allowing themselves to “make a mess”—in a good way. Pope Francis issued the statement as reported by the Vatican News, saying that he would like his words to “be a source of renewed hope” for young people, who might be feeling discouraged in a world “marked by so many conflicts and so much suffering.” The Holy Father said young people have a “great mission” in this world, encouraging them to “make a mess”—famously expressed in Spanish as “¡Hagan lío!”—which was the same message he expressed to his audiences during past World Youth Day gatherings. Pope Francis assured young people that “Christ is alive” and loves them infinitely. He invited them to “walk with Him as a friend, welcome Him into your life, and let Him share all the joys and hopes, the problems and struggles of this time in your life.” Living in the presence of Jesus, he told young people, will allow their “memory of the

MORION. The original Morion mask originated in Mogpog town in Marinduque. Jay Morales

PH lauds United Nations Gaza ceasefire call By Rey E. Requejo THE Philippines on Tuesday lauded the United Nations Security Council for adopting a resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire in war-torn Gaza, saying it was “long overdue” and must be implemented “immediately.”

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the Philippines supports the resolution, which also calls for the release of hostages and aid provisions. “I welcome the Security Council’s decisive adoption of a resolution for immediate ceasefire, unconditional release of all hostages, and unhampered

humanitarian assistance in Gaza,” Manalo posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account. “This is long overdue and must be implemented by all parties immediately,” the DFA chief added. On Monday, the Security Council adopted the resolution with one Next page

Marcos: Construct more high dams to ease water supply PRESIDENT Marcos ordered the construction of more high dams as a “long-term solution” to the water supply problem, the National Irrigation Authority said Tuesday. NIA administrator Eduardo Guil-

len said they aim to complete at least 50 dams by 2028, with 10 dams in the pipeline this year. “Our President’s directive, which is what we are doing right now, is to build Next page

Late La Niña likely to prolong drought until August—DOST

Chinese chopper harass, hurt marine scientists off Pag-asa

THE drought condition may be prolonged until August as La Niña is likely to developing by the second half of 2024 and delay the onset of the rainy season, Science Secretary Renato Solidum said Tuesday. Solidum said the increasing probability for La Niña’s occurrence in the June-July-August season is at 62 percent. He said that while the El Niño phe-

FILIPINO scientists and researchers conducting a marine resource assessment on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea were hurt by the debris caused by a Chinese Navy helicopter hovering low over them on Sandy Cay this weekend, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said. Also, a BFAR crew manning an underwater drone almost drowned because he could not come out of the water due to the strong winds generated by the helicopter. The person was eventually rescued by a colleague, the bureau added. The harassment happened on the same day that China Coast Guard vessels fired water cannon at the Philippine resupply boat Unaizah May 4 during the rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal, injuring three Filipinos.

nomenon will transition from “strong” to “neutral” by the April-May-June season, hotter and drier conditions will still likely persist until August. Solidum said in August, around 10 provinces in the country will likely experience drought, one will suffer from a dry spell, and two others to feel the effects of dry conditions. “Because of the possibility of La

#ANONGBALITA

BACK AT WORK. Marcos and the First Lady have

completely recovered from their flu-like symptoms and are now in excellent health. Their attending physician has confirmed that they are free from all symptoms, enabling them to promptly return to their regular duties, effective immediately. PCO

Saudi Arabia joins Miss Universe for the first time

Pia Wurtzbach’s wax figure now in SG’s Tussauds

Easter bunny to the rescue as cocoa prices up

NEWS / A2