More and more travelers heading home for the holidays have flocked to bus terminals in Dagupan City.

Mercedez Valerio, a senior citizen, was among the early travelers.

She was on her way to Manila to celebrate the holidays with her children and grandchildren. She appreciated the seats that have been reserved for seniors on buses.

“Sana maayos ang byahe ko para makarating ako ng maaga,” she said.

Shania Tan, who traveled from Manila to Pangasinan to be with her family, said there is a growing challenge of holiday travel.

“Medyo traffic na atsaka punuan na ang mga bus,” she said.

Terminal operators reported an increase in passengers, with more expected to rush to provinces like Zambales, Baguio City, and Isabela.

To manage the surge, bus trip intervals have been reduced from 20-30 minutes to just 10 minutes.

“Sem-break na kasi kaya marami nang uuwi. Nagbabato na tayo ng mga bus paakyat sa Baguio City para marami ring magamit pababa dito,” Mel Lopez, Bus Terminal Master, said.

Police are stationed at bus terminals to ensure passenger safety, while the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) conducts ongoing inspections to guarantee roadworthiness of buses this holiday season.

In Davao City, passengers have also started flocking to terminals and ports to go home and be with their families during the holiday break.

At the entrance of the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT), bags and belongings of passengers were thoroughly checked by the personnel of the Task Force Davao.

DCOTT management also gave an advice for passengers who will bring along plants and pets.

“Kaning mga endangered species of plants and animals, nga gusto nila dad-on. Dapat mangayo sa gyud sila og kanang mga papels niana. Kung kita pud adunay pet nato kaning atoang miming, kaning mga iro, adtoa na siyang i-diaper and at the same time, magdala ta sa ilang vaccination card,” DCOTT Manager, Aisa Yusop, said.

The management of the bus terminal also urged passengers to make an online booking, especially those who have connecting trips.

The process for online booking can be accessed through the DCOTT’s social media page.

“Dili naka mulinya along the terminal drive, you have to present ang gihatag sa inyoha nga ticket nga nagapamatuod nga naa nakay ticket nga musakay. The purpose for that is para dili sila madelatar,” Yusop added.

Authorities advised passengers to only get the service of legitimate laborers at the terminal.

Meanwhile, those who have flights are urged to go the Davao International Airport early to avoid inconvenience.

Security measures were also beefed up at the airport.

“Karong adlawa nagsugod ang amoang oplan byaheng ayos for Pasko 2024. Part sa amoang pagpangandam is putting up passenger assistance desk and of course ang atoang closed coordination sa atong security stakeholders,” CAAP-Davao Manager, Engr. Rex Obcena, said.

“May maximum deployment po tayo ng personnel. Ang isa din po sa (tinitingnan) itong mga unattended baggage na maka-cause ng panic sa general public. Siguraduhin po natin na walang maiiwan pumunta po tayo ng advance before the boarding time dapat mas maaga po para di magka-aberya,” Airport Police Station Chief, Major Dennis Mark Enargan, added.

(With reports from Jasmin Gabriel-Galban, GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon, and Jandi Esteban, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao)