Passengers continue to flock to terminals ahead of Undas long weekend

MANILA – Thousands of passengers continued to troop to transport terminals and airports on Saturday, October 31, as Filipinos rushed to return to their home provinces ahead of the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. 

As of 6 p.m., the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) recorded around 150,950 passengers, with terminal officials saying many travelers were still trying to catch buses to their respective provinces.

Among them was Joel Bagobo, who arrived at PITX as early as 10 a.m. to catch a bus bound for Partido, Camarines Sur. 

He was hoping to board the 3 p.m. trip so he could spend Undas with his family. Aside from his personal belongings, he also brought two live chickens for the trip.

“Manok yan lang dala ko… Dalawa lang yan. Anim na oras na ako. Galing ako sa Bulacan, San Isidro. Halos tatlong oras din biyahe papunta dito,” Bagobo said. 

Meanwhile, mother and daughter Jen and Beverly Grajo were also looking forward to returning to their home province of Masbate.

The two have not visited the graves of their departed loved ones since 2023. 

“Mahalaga po ito kasi ngayon lang kami makakauwi. Bibisitahin din po namin yung puntod ni Lola at get together ng mga kamag-anak. Babalik din kami sa Tuesday,” Grajo said.

PITX management assured passengers that there were enough buses to accommodate the influx of travelers. 

In contrast, fewer passengers were seen at the Araneta City Bus Station, particularly those bound for provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Meanwhile, on the country’s expressways, traffic along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) was also lighter compared with Friday. 

NLEX spokesperson Robin Ignacio said the next influx of returning motorists is expected on Sunday evening or Monday, November 2.

“Maaaring bukas ng gabi meron nang bumalik, yung mga ayaw sumabay sa Monday, November 2, ng hapon hanggang gabi,” Ignacio said. 

He added that the number of motorists expected to travel in the coming days would likely be lower, as the expressway had already recorded its peak traffic volume on Friday.

“Ang ine-expect na lang natin, kung may hahabol, hindi na ganun karami. So more or less, masasabi natin, nakadaan na ang peak volume natin kahapon,” he said. 

NLEX management reminded motorists to ensure that their RFID stickers are properly installed and that they have sufficient account balance to avoid delays at toll plazas.

Meanwhile, motorists traveling along EDSA should also expect moderate to heavy traffic as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) continues the second phase of its EDSA rehabilitation project, covering portions from Kamuning to EDSA-Guadalupe.