168,000 travelers flock to PITX ahead of Undas 2024

Around 168,000 passengers trooped to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Wednesday to catch bus trips ahead of this year's Undas, according to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday.

PITX spokesperson Jason Salvador said the figure was expected to rise to 200,000 on Thursday as more Filipinos travel outside of the capital to visit departed loved ones in the provinces.

The PITX management assured there were enough buses to meet passenger demand.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said that provincial buses can pass through EDSA until 5 a.m. on Monday, November 4.

Although PITX was not crowded, there were some passengers who needed medical attention, such as those with high blood pressure due to lack of sleep, while waiting for their trips.

Meanwhile, at least three provincial bus drivers tested positive for substance use during a random drug test on Wednesday.

The random drug test was to ensure the safety of passengers this Undas long weekend.

“Let this serve as a warning sa ating pampublikong sasakyan na tsuper na lagi po nating ginagawa ito para sa kaligtasan ng mga mananakay,” Salvador said.

(Let this serve as a warning to our public utility vehicle drivers that we do this for the safety of our passengers.)

The driver’s licenses of those who tested positive were confiscated.

The National Capital Region Police Office has deployed 12,000 cops to maintain peace and order during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News