Some Bicol trips at PITX fully booked ahead of Halalan | ABS-CBN
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Some Bicol trips at PITX fully booked ahead of Halalan
Some Bicol trips at PITX fully booked ahead of Halalan
MANILA — Many trips going to the Bicol region from the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) were fully booked on Thursday as Filipinos head home to the provinces for the midterm elections on May 12.
MANILA — Many trips going to the Bicol region from the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) were fully booked on Thursday as Filipinos head home to the provinces for the midterm elections on May 12.
Juliet Bino and her daughter spent hours in line to score bus tickets to Albay. Before coming to PITX, they first tried their luck at a bus terminal in Manila but trips there have also been booked until May 13, 2025.
Juliet Bino and her daughter spent hours in line to score bus tickets to Albay. Before coming to PITX, they first tried their luck at a bus terminal in Manila but trips there have also been booked until May 13, 2025.
“Ang dami ko nang inikot. Tinuro kami sa ticket booth 1, nakarating ako ng ticket booth 2, tapos dito naman sa 4. Sabi ko nga baka pwede sa gitna na lang kami (ng bus), kahit wala na kaming upuan. Hindi raw pwede,” said Bino.
“Ang dami ko nang inikot. Tinuro kami sa ticket booth 1, nakarating ako ng ticket booth 2, tapos dito naman sa 4. Sabi ko nga baka pwede sa gitna na lang kami (ng bus), kahit wala na kaming upuan. Hindi raw pwede,” said Bino.
Some passengers also ran out of chairs at the terminal, forcing them to sit or lie down on the floor while waiting.
Some passengers also ran out of chairs at the terminal, forcing them to sit or lie down on the floor while waiting.
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But overseas Filipino worker Karen Borja said it was all worth it if it meant she would be able to cast her vote and hopefully help bring about change in the country.
But overseas Filipino worker Karen Borja said it was all worth it if it meant she would be able to cast her vote and hopefully help bring about change in the country.
“Para makaboto ako, ma’am, para mataasan yung sahod dito sa Pilipinas para hindi na po kami magpunta ng ibang bansa pa. Yung kung magkano yung sahod sa ibang bansa ganun din dito, para makasama namin pamilya namin,” she said.
“Para makaboto ako, ma’am, para mataasan yung sahod dito sa Pilipinas para hindi na po kami magpunta ng ibang bansa pa. Yung kung magkano yung sahod sa ibang bansa ganun din dito, para makasama namin pamilya namin,” she said.
Foot traffic at the terminal hit nearly 153,000 as of 7pm. The PITX management expects the Thursday crowd to reach up to 180,000.
Foot traffic at the terminal hit nearly 153,000 as of 7pm. The PITX management expects the Thursday crowd to reach up to 180,000.
“Nakita natin yung surge, May 5 pa lang. Mas marami tayong walk-ins ngayon dahil siguro ngayon pa lang sila nakapagdecide na umuwi ng probinsiya para sa elections. Before kasi, nung holy week, mas marami tayong advanced booking,” said PITX Senior Corporate Affairs Officer Kolyn Calbasa.
“Nakita natin yung surge, May 5 pa lang. Mas marami tayong walk-ins ngayon dahil siguro ngayon pa lang sila nakapagdecide na umuwi ng probinsiya para sa elections. Before kasi, nung holy week, mas marami tayong advanced booking,” said PITX Senior Corporate Affairs Officer Kolyn Calbasa.
She said the closure of several bus terminals in Pasay City because of their non-compliance to government regulations also contributed to the influx since many of the passengers who used to go there ended up at PITX.
She said the closure of several bus terminals in Pasay City because of their non-compliance to government regulations also contributed to the influx since many of the passengers who used to go there ended up at PITX.
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But she guaranteed that more trips would also be added to accommodate chance passengers.
But she guaranteed that more trips would also be added to accommodate chance passengers.
“LTFRB is here simula pa lang nung Monday. Sinabihan natin sila na if ever need ng special permit, sana magkaroon. Nakakapag-issue naman sila agad-agad… Marami na tayong special permit mostly going to Bulan, Sorsogon,” added Calbasa.
“LTFRB is here simula pa lang nung Monday. Sinabihan natin sila na if ever need ng special permit, sana magkaroon. Nakakapag-issue naman sila agad-agad… Marami na tayong special permit mostly going to Bulan, Sorsogon,” added Calbasa.
Meanwhile, passengers have also started flocking to different ports across the country.
Meanwhile, passengers have also started flocking to different ports across the country.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) expects to serve an estimated 1.16 million passengers this election period.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) expects to serve an estimated 1.16 million passengers this election period.
The busiest ones are the ports in Panay-Guimaras, Batangas, and in Matnog in Bicol.
The busiest ones are the ports in Panay-Guimaras, Batangas, and in Matnog in Bicol.
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“Meron naman pong masasakyan… Dito po sa Matnog Port natin sa Bicol, dati-rati nasa 12 to 13 vessels lang daily yung bumabiyahe pero sumulat yung pamunuan ng Port of Matnog sa MARINA, sa mga shipping lines so ngayon meron na tayong 16 vessels,” said PPA Spokesperson Eunice Samonte.
“Meron naman pong masasakyan… Dito po sa Matnog Port natin sa Bicol, dati-rati nasa 12 to 13 vessels lang daily yung bumabiyahe pero sumulat yung pamunuan ng Port of Matnog sa MARINA, sa mga shipping lines so ngayon meron na tayong 16 vessels,” said PPA Spokesperson Eunice Samonte.
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