Several passengers have trooped to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) to avoid the expected rush of people traveling home on All Saint’s and All Soul’s Days.
According to Dano Tingcungco’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, passengers are taking advantage of the spacious situation at PITX in order to secure available tickets.
“Para iwas sa traffic, hindi hassle sa biyahe at matagal ho bonding ng pamilya. Nagkakaubusan po kasi ng ticket pagka parang gahol na ho sa oras. Kaya kailangan maaga pa lang pag uuwi na kayo uwi na kayo, para sa ticket walang hassle,” one passenger said.
(To avoid traffic, so the trip isn’t a hassle, and for more family bonding time. Tickets run out when you’re pressed for time. That’s why you need to go home early if you’re planning to, so there’s no hassle with buying tickets.)
“Para makadalaw sa lola ko nitong Undas. Mag- two weeks pa lang ako dito sa ‘Pinas,sinabay ko na uwi ng Undas para di makasabay, marami kasi mga pasahero nagsisi-uwian,” another passenger shared.
(To visit my grandmother this Undas. I’ve only been here in the Philippines for two weeks, so I timed my trip home for Undas to avoid the crowd, because many passengers are going home.)
The PITX management earlier said that they expect more than two million passengers to transit via the terminal from October 23 until October 31, the eve of All Saints’ Day.
PITX management said it is coordinating with authorities to ensure the continuous flow of traffic around the terminal.
MMDA preparations
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conducted Oplan Kontra Sagabal or towing vehicles illegally parked on the streets.
MMDA personnel towed 10 vehicles in the Cubao area on Tuesday.
The MMDA also announced the implementation of “No Absent, No Leave” policy among its personnel to ensure the smooth traffic flow in the upcoming holiday.
“Para siguraduhin po lahat po ng enforcers ay nandiyan. Kaya nga matagal na po naming ginagawa iyan, lalong-lalo na po kapag nagkakaroon po tayo ng exodus na marami sa ating mga kababayan na pupunta ng probinsiya ay ganiyan na po ang pinapatupad namin,” said MMDA Swift Traffic Action Group commander Bong Nebrija.
(To ensure that all our enforcers are present. That’s why we’ve been doing this for a long time, especially when we have an exodus where many of our countrymen go to the provinces, that is the policy we implement.)
The Department of Transportation, on the other hand, said that public bus drivers would undergo drug testing. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News
