1 week Ago
Passengers heading to the provinces for Holy Week are experiencing delays, as buses at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange and Cubao stations are already fully booked. According to Darlene Cay’s Sunday report on “24 Oras Weekend,” many travelers bound for the Bicol Region said they were forced to postpone their trips due to the lack of available seats. One passenger said she would return home and try to book a trip on Monday instead.
Another said she and her family would remain at PITX until they could secure a trip to Masbate, rather than return to their home in Laguna. PITX reported that around 160,000 passengers passed through the terminal on Saturday, with a similar volume expected on Sunday. “Marami na po yung mga nakapag-advanced booking pero hindi naman po ibig sabihin noon ay wala na po tayong biyahe sa PITX," said Kolyn Calbasa, Senior Officer for Corporate Affairs at PITX.
"Marami pa rin naman po available trips dahil nagdagdag po ng mga buses or supply ang mga bus companies.” (Many passengers booked in advance, but that doesn’t mean we’re fully booked. There are still plenty of available trips, as bus companies have added more units.
) Meanwhile, in Cubao, Quezon City, air-conditioned buses bound for Camarines Norte are fully booked until Black Saturday on April 19. Some passengers expressed concern about potentially missing their children's graduation ceremonies after failing to secure a seat. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon reminded terminal operators to maintain clean and well-functioning facilities, especially restrooms.
“Kailangan talaga mag impose ng standards dito. At kung hindi sila mag meet ng standards, either ipapasara ang mga terminal nila o isuspend muna,” Dizon warned. (We need to impose strict standards.
If a terminal fails to meet them, it may face suspension or even closure.) He also noted that transportation hubs are on heightened alert throughout the Holy Week period. At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, around 150,000 passengers are expected daily.
According to the New NAIA Infra Corp., this year’s volume may surpass last year’s. On Sunday, some travelers arrived several hours early to avoid heavy crowds.
At PITX, routes to Tuguegarao and Olongapo are also filling up fast. However, walk-in passengers may still be able to secure seats. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/DVM, GMA Integrated News.
