A day before the 2025 midterm elections, thousands of passengers continued to flock to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in hopes of making it home to their provinces to cast their votes.

However, long lines, fully-booked trips, and uncertainty over available transportation have forced some to abandon their travel, and with it, their right to vote.

Despite arriving at the terminal as early as Saturday evening, Emmalyn Malagueno was still stranded by Sunday afternoon. Traveling alone with several bags and no one to look after her belongings, she said she barely had time to eat while waiting for a chance to board a bus bound for Tabaco City, Albay.

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“Fully-booked na po talaga. Syempre kailangan makipagsapalaran para makauwi. Boboto e'. Kailangan namin bumoto. Kahit alam namin na walang pag-asa, pumila talaga kami. Dito na kami natulog sa sahig,” Malagueno said.

But unlike her, some passengers she met in line chose not to go to their provinces anymore after hours of waiting with no assurance of securing a seat.

“Naging kasabay ko lang sila rito. Kanina lang, umuwi na siya. Kasi 2 days lang daw iyong hiningi niyang leave. Uuwi na lang siya kasi pagod na raw. Kaso nalulungkot siya kasi hindi raw siya makakapagboto,” she added

Creselda Baria, who was with her six family members en route to Malilipot, Albay, also shared the same frustration.  

They arrived at PITX at 6 a.m. on Sunday, yet by afternoon, they still hadn’t secured a ride. 

“Mahirap po kasi hindi na kami makapasok sa online kasi fully-booked na raw po. Kaya tsambahan na lang po kami rito para makauwi,” said Baria.

According to PITX officials, foot traffic on Sunday reached over 100,000, slightly lower than Saturday’s peak of more than 190,000. But difficulties in securing a ride persisted, especially for passengers heading to the Bicol Region, as buses take longer to return from the route.

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Meanwhile, the situation was just as challenging in Cubao, Quezon City.

At the Victory Liner terminal, the passenger surge overwhelmed operations following the suspension of the entire fleet of Pangasinan Solid North due to a May 1 car crash on SCTEX. 

Terminal manager Arnel Santos said they typically accommodate around 10,000 passengers on a regular day. This figure has tripled to 30,000, mostly bound for Pangasinan.

“Starting po noong Friday, talagang dagsa po iyong naging pasahero, 24 oras iyong naging byahe ng ating mga bus. Karamihan po sa mga pasahero na talagang dumoble ang bilang ay iyong taga Pangasinan po,” Santos said.

He added that while the surge posed a major challenge, they coordinated with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to secure a special permit for 40 additional buses.