Transport terminals gird for Holy Week 2024 exodus

Whether it's travel by land, sea, or air, operators of transport terminals are ramping up preparations to accommodate millions of Filipino travelers expected to flock to bus stations, piers, and airports for next week's Holy Week break.

Passenger volume at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 was already at a hefty 6,000 travelers on Wednesday.

However, the figure was expected to rise 10% to 15% on Holy Week, with peak volumes on Holy Wednesday, March 27, and Easter Sunday, March 31.

The Manila International Airport Authority assured that airplanes are sufficient to meet the surge in demand.

"Ang mga terminal manager... they already met with the airlines assigned to their respective terminals to make sure na ang mga airlines natin prepared sa dagsa ng mga tao," Connie Bungag, officer-in-charge of the MIAA Public Affairs Department, said in an interview on 24 Oras.

(The terminal managers already met with airlines assigned to their respective terminals to make sure that our airlines are prepared for the increase in travelers.)

Airport authorities assured that they are continuously looking for ways to strengthen their pest control measures after videos of bed bugs, cockroaches, and rats in the Philippine capital's main international gateway made the rounds on social media.

"We coordinated with our pest control provider na daily meron na kami mino-monitor mga activity nila sa mga seats, steaming disinfection pati mga possible na pagdaanan ng mga rodents may daily report," said NAIA Terminal 3 manager Larry Francisco.

(We coordinated with our pest control provider so we could have daily reports for monitoring activities of our seats, rodent pathways, and the conduct of steaming disinfection.)

However, the removal of some seats at the airport due to the pest control activities may inconvenience some travelers, the 24 Oras report said.

Seaports

Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said it expects a significant rise in passenger volume at the Batangas Port on Holy Week this post-pandemic year compared to 2022 figures.

"Ang inaasahan natin, hihigit sa dalawang milyon 'yung mga kababayan nating bibiyahe sa pantalan. We anticipate na 10% na increase from last year's 1.8 million," PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said during an inspection of the facility on Wednesday.

(We expect over 2 million people will travel through our ports. We anticipate a 10%-increase from last year's 1.8 million.)

From its previous seating capacity of 2,500, the Batangas Port can now accommodate 8,000 travelers in its fully air-conditioned facility.

Three ticketing zones have been set up to service the port's travelers. Two e-transporter vehicles are also available for persons with disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, and senior citizens.

"Lahat ng ports na will be manned by 24 hours 'yon na mina-man ng mga pulis ng Marina at ang ating mga pantalan naman at karagatan naman may commitment na ang Philippine Coast Guard," said Elmer Sarmiento, Transportation undersecretary for the maritime sector.

(All ports will be manned 24 hours a day by the police and Marina personnel. The Philippine Coast Guard, meanwhile, has committed to guard the seas during the Holy Week.)

Expressways

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), for its part, expects commuter volume to increase as early as this weekend.

All of its lanes will be open from March 24, Palm Sunday, to March 31, Easter Sunday, the 24 Oras report said.

In an interview on Unang Balita on Tuesday, TRB spokesperson Julius Corpuz said the volume of motorists is expected to peak on Holy Wednesday, March 27.

PITX

At the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), the number of passengers traveling to the provinces through the public transport hub is expected to reach 1.7 million this coming Holy Week.

Kolyn Calbasa, PITX senior corporate affairs officer, said bulk of the passengers is expected to begin arriving at the terminal starting Friday, March 22, until April 1, Monday.

This early, however, PITX management advised passengers to book tickets in advance either online or through the terminal ticketing booths.

Routes to Bicol and parts of Mindanao were expected to be booked sooner than others, Calbasa said.

"Marami po tayong pasahero na pupunta ng Bicol so usual na napupuno natin. However, minake sure natin na lahat ng passengers na gusto mag-walk in at that time, makakapunta pa rin sila ng Bicol. Gateway kasi 'yung Bicol going to Visayas so may mga ruta na nadadaanan na,” Calbasa said.

(Our buses to Bicol are usually full. However, we make sure that all our walk-in passengers at that time can take rides to Bicol. You see, Bicol is a gateway to Visayas so we have routes there that are already passable.)

"Aside from that, 'yung Visayas, Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, 'yan din po mga napupuno natin na biyahe," she added.

(Our trips to Visayas, Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro, Davao are also expected to be fully booked)

The PITX is awaiting word from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board regarding its plan to offer special trips for provincial buses to accommodate the influx of passengers.

Last January, the PITX earlier said it would open new routes this year as part of its bid to expand its services for the commuting public. — with a report from Bernadette Reyes/ VDV, GMA Integrated News