Commuters, motorists rush back to Metro Manila after Holy Week

Vacationers and pilgrims were expected to flood back to Metro Manila from their Holy Week vacations on Monday, continuing a trend that began as early as Saturday.

Moderate to heavy traffic was generated by cars entering EDSA from Balintawak as early as 3 a.m., according to a report by Victoria Tulad on Unang Balita on Monday.

NLEX traffic supervisor Liezel Uy said traffic was exacerbated by the return of Holy Week vacationers and the presence of illegally-parked cars along Balintawak.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was notified of the cars and was expected to clear the road to ease traffic along the area.

As of 7:00 AM, traffic build up at Balintawak SB going EDSA SB with tail end at Valenzuela. Rest of NLEX is fast moving. Drive Safely! pic.twitter.com/opl3cCmZVI

— NLEX Corporation (@NLEXexpressways) April 1, 2018

Otherwise, traffic remained normal at the Mindanao Toll Gate, Tarlac, Bocaue, and other areas of NLEX due to the early return of some vacationers over the weekend around 7 a.m.

Another report noted that SLEX-Alabang northbound lane was experiencing moderate to heavy traffic due to motorists returning to Metro Manila. —Rie Takumi/KG, GMA News