Traffic, high passenger volume at ports and terminals after Undas break

Ports, terminals and roads reported a surge in passenger and vehicle volume the day after the Undas break, as Filipinos wrap up their long weekend break amid the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

In its situation report from 6 a.m. to 12 noon on Sunday the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recorded 56,853 outbound passengers and 44,725 inbound passengers in ports nationwide.

PCG spokesperson Commodore Algier Ricafrente told Super Radyo dzBB that more people were expected to travel later in the day.

"As of 12 p.m. ay mahigit 56,000 yung pasahero na bumiyahe at umalis at dumating sa mga pantalan natin, at inaasahan natin na mamaya ay madadagdagan ng mas marami pang pasahero kaya patuloy pa rin natin 'yung pagbabantay at pag-e-ensure sa seguridad at pag-e-ensure na magiging maayos 'yung biyahe ng ating mga kababayan," Ricafrente said.

(As of 12 p.m., more than 56,000 passengers have traveled through our ports, and we expect more travelers later, so we will continue to monitor and ensure security and that our countrymen will have a smooth trip.)

He added that no untoward incidents have been reported at piers and on vessels.

Also on its situation report, the PCG said 4,331 deployed frontline personnel in 16 PCG Districts have inspected 621 vessels and 980 motor bancas.

On the morning of Undas or All Saints' Day on Friday, the PCG said in its 10 a.m. report that 149,300 outbound and 141,036 inbound passengers were monitored in all ports.

Jenneliza Rebong, Philippine Ports Authority's acting port manager for National Capital Region - North, told Unang Balita that over 1,000 passengers booked trips for Friday, higher than the 386 on Thursday.

According to Rebong, these trips were headed to Bacolod, Puerto Princesa, and Zamboanga cities, among others.

PITX and NAIA

In Vonne Aquino's report on 24 Oras Weekend on Sunday, passengers returning from the provinces crowded the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). 

Among the passengers at PITX were Jonalyn Manuel and her family, who took a vacation in Gapan, Nueva Ecija during All Saints' Day and Souls’ Day.

“Bukas kasi may pasok na po. Mahirap po kasing sumakay eh kapag rush hour na din matagal po yung byahe,” Manuel said. 

(There’s already work and classes tomorrow. It’s difficult to travel during rush hour since the travel will take longer.)

PITX said it expects more passengers from the provinces on Monday. 

“Dahil sa sabay-sabay na dahil first day of work. Then, of course, yung classes din sabay-sabay na yan commuters tsaka pauwi galing probinsya,” said Kolyn Calbasa, PITX senior corporate affairs officer.

(Because it's the first day of work and, at the same time, there are also classes so commuters returning home from the province will travel at the same time.)

In another 24 Oras Weekend report, some travelers went early to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) way ahead of their scheduled flight to avoid traffic and influx of passengers.

Some passengers from provinces also arrived at the NAIA.

SLEX

Meanwhile, over 600,000 or half more than the usual vehicles a day are expected to travel the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to Metro Manila from the provinces. 

Dano Tingcungco reported that slow-paced vehicles were observed in the Calamba Northbound area along SLEX on Sunday afternoon.

SLEX said an influx of vehicles going to Metro Manila is expected until Monday. 

“Marami pang sasakyan na nagpunta dito sa area ng Sucat Road, nandito kasi yung Loyola at Manila Memorial [Park] cemeteries. Ang ginawa namin kagabi, from Alabang viaduct, nagpa-counterflow na kami para ma-bypass ang Sucat area,” said retired Major Leopoldo Vitug Jr., overall head of Traffic Safety and Security Department at Skyway O&M Corp.

(There are a lot of vehicles going to Sucat Road since Loyola and Manila Memorial Park cemeteries are here. We opened a counterflow lane from Alabang viaduct last night to bypass the Sucat area.)

Vitug also said long lines at toll gates are also expected, especially in the cash lane, and if vehicles have an insufficient Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) load.  

“Ang ginawa namin diyan nagdagdag kami ng ambulant teller para smooth lang at ma-assist yung insufficient at walang load,” Vitug said. 

(We added more ambulant tellers for smooth transactions and to assist those who have insufficient balance.)

NLEX

As of 1 p.m. on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), vehicles going to Metro Manila started to build up.

NLEX said vehicles from Tarlac Toll Plaza along Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway continuously enter the highway. 

Robin Ignacio, NLEX senior manager for traffic operations, said an increase in vehicle volume is expected tonight until early Monday morning. 

He added a zipper or counterflow lane is ready to be opened should traffic get heavier. 

The NLEX patrol team is also deployed to assist motorists.

The Philippine National Police also reported that the Undas break—from October 31 to Novemer 2, covering All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day—was "generally peaceful," even amid an exodus as Filipinos headed home to the provinces to spend the period with their families. — VDV/BM, GMA Integrated News