The Christmas holiday rush is upon us, and the effects are already being felt across the Philippines. Reports indicate significantly heavier traffic on both roads and in the skies as Filipinos head home to their provinces or travel to the metro for the holidays.
This isn’t just anecdotal; the Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines (PBOA) confirms the surge. Alex Yague, executive director of PBOA, notes a significant increase in traffic due to the combination of buses operating under special permits and private vehicles making their own journeys. He highlights the added challenge of ongoing road repairs, causing significant delays, particularly for return trips. A trip to Baguio, normally a 5-6 hour journey, can now easily take 2-3 hours longer.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has responded by granting 956 special permits to public utility vehicles (PUVs) to help manage the increased demand. Provincial buses have also been granted temporary access to EDSA to help alleviate congestion. However, even with these measures, congestion remains a major issue. Robin Ignacio, head of NLEX Traffic Operations, reports slowdowns from Balintawak Toll Plaza to Valenzuela, although the situation has improved somewhat as the day progresses. NLEX has suspended road works and deployed additional personnel to assist motorists. To further ease the burden, San Miguel Corporation is once again waiving toll fees on its expressways during key holiday periods.
The increased travel volume isn’t limited to land travel. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) reports a daily average of over 155,000 travelers, both arriving and departing, a number that has been steadily increasing for the past week. MIAA General Manager Eric Ines anticipates a total of 1.5 million passengers during the peak holiday season, but assures that the airport is well-prepared to handle the influx, with all three terminals fully operational and 24/7 health desks available to assist passengers. Cebu Pacific alone expects to handle 700,000 passengers during the holidays.
