Traffic builds up along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City amid cloudy skies and light rain showers on August 8, 2022. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/FILEMANILA — Authorities have already observed heavier traffic in both land and skies as influx of travelers head to the metro or back in the provinces ahead of Christmas.

Speaking to Teleradyo Serbisyo on Saturday, a bus group said traffic is now getting tighter since both public utility vehicles (PUVs) and private vehicles are plying roads for holiday rush.

"Maraming special permit sa mga buses na nakabiyahe ng probinsya ngayong Pasko. Actually ang nagiging problema 'pag ganitong panahon kasi nakikisabay din umuwi 'yung ating mga kababayan na may sariling sasakyan so ma-traffic sa daan," said Alex Yague, executive director of Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines.

(There are many special permits for buses traveling to the provinces this Christmas. The problem during this season is that many Filipinos who also have their own vehicles are on the road as well, so traffic is expected). 

He stressed that due to traffic congestion and several road repairs, the return trips of buses usually gets delayed.

"Instead na, kunyari let's say Baguio mga 5 to 6 hours nandoon ka na... Pero ngayon kasi maraming sasakyan sa daan, maraming ginagawa na mga kalye, mga widening sa expressway ay minsan umaabot ng mga plus 2 hours yan o plus 3 hours kaya 'yung mga bus nade-delay din sila yung pagbalik nila," he explained.

(For example, if you're going to Baguio, it usually takes 5 to 6 hours. But now, because of heavy traffic and road repairs, like expressway widening, rides take up an additional 2 to 3 hours so returns of buses get delayed.)

LTFRB grants 956 special PUV permits for Christmas, New Year rush

Earlier, the and Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board granted 956 special permits to PUVs to cater commuters' needs amid holiday rush.

Provincial buses are also allowed to temporarily ply EDSA roads since yesterday, December 20.

In an another interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo, Robin Ignacio, head of NLEX Traffic Operations Department, said the traffic from Balintawak Toll Plaza up to Valenzuela Area has been slowed down.

"Bago mag-alas singko, nag-umpisa na pong dumami 'yung ating mga kababayang pauwi ng probinsya. Mas masikip actually 'yung daloy ng traffic natin kanina," he mentioned.

(Before 5 a.m. today, we saw an increase of motorists going back to their provinces. The traffic is tighter earlier.)

PITX, NLEX ready for Christmas holiday exodus

But he said, traffic slightly relaxed as hours passed by. 

"Ngayon medyo nababawasan na po at 'yun po inaasahan natin na maaaring pabugso-bugso 'yung ating mga traffic. Lalong-lalo na po itong pauwi ng probinsya," Ignacio added.

(Now the traffic improved but we expect that the flow can easily change since many are going home to provinces.)

He also shared that NLEX is no longer holding any on-going road works and has deployed multiple personnel to guide motorists.

San Miguel Corp. already announced it is once again waving toll fees across SMC’s expressways — including the Skyway System, NAIA Expressway (NAIAX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), STAR Tollway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) —  from 10 p.m. on December 24 to 6 a.m. on December 25, and from 10 p.m. on December 31 to 6 a.m. on January 1, 2025, "to make holiday travel smoother for motorists."

1.5 MILLION TRAVELERS EXPECTED IN NAIA

Onto the skies, Manila International Airport Authority told Teleradyo Serbisyo in an interview that over 155,000 travelers have already been observed daily, both in and out of the Philippines.

"Mga week ago, nagsimula na po 'yun [increase of travelers]. Halos umaabot na tayo ng lagpas 155,000 travelers, in and out daily po 'yun so sa isang linggo," said Eric Ines, general manager of MIAA.

(The number of travelers already began increasing since a week ago.  We are now reaching over 155,000 travelers daily, both in and out in a week.)

Ines emphasized that the passengers may even reach up to 1.5 million, but assured the country's main gateway is ready for the surge.

Cebu Pacific expects 700,000 passengers during holidays

"Nakahanda naman po ang mga terminal natin particularly 'yung ating international. Lahat ng tatlong terminal natin na gumagana," he said.

(All three of our terminals, especially international, are operating well.)

He also stressed that New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), the operator of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is well prepared for the holiday rush. They currently have 24/7 health desks to assist passengers.

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