Metro Manila bus terminals crowded as Holy Week exodus continues

Passengers heading for the provinces to spend the Holy Week crowded bus terminals in Metro Manila early Monday, even as bus dispatchers expect the exodus to peak on Wednesday and Thursday. In Quezon City, radio dzBB’s Allan Gatus reported that traffic along Epifanio delos Santos (EDSA) grew heavy as early as 4 a.m., as passengers rushed to the bus terminals to get a ride home. Terminals of bus firms with trips to northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Bicol and Visayas were crowded with people bringing heavy suitcases and bags. Several taxi drivers were seen parking their vehicles near bus terminals in hopes of getting passengers.

In Pasay City, dzBB’s Sam Nielsen reported security was relatively lax as inspectors did not check the baggage of passengers thoroughly. In Manila, dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported some bus firms said they were already fully booked for the Holy Week. Police set up assistance desks in many of the bus terminals in Manila, the report added. Coast Guard appeals to vacationers Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard appealed to the public to plan their trips well and to help it catch colorum vessels. Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said they have set hotlines and text lines to accommodate such tips from passengers. "Ang payo namin [ay] planuhin maayos ang pagbiyahe (and) be on the lookout for colorums (Our advice is for passengers to plan their trips well and to be on the lookout for colorums)," Tamayo said on government-run dzRB radio.
Tamayo said they are still haunted over memories of last December’s maritime tragedies, and they want to prevent similar calamity from happening. Last December 24, the wooden-hulled passenger vessel Catalyn-B sank after colliding with the steel-hulled fishing vessel Anatalya off Cavite. On December 26, the roll-on-roll-off vessel Baleno-9 sank off Batangas. Tamayo said the Coast Guard has set up landlines and text lines the public can use to send in their tips. The landlines include 5278481 and 5273877. The text line is 0917-7243682 (0917PCGDOTC). "Pwede tumawag kung may napupunang colorum na nagbibiyahe na di naman dapat (The public can call these numbers if they see colorum vessels that are not supposed to be at sea)," he said. Secure homes For its part, the National Police advised travelers to secure their homes before heading for their destination. Radio dzBB reported that Quezon City police director Chief Superintendent Elmo San Diego has also ordered the deployment of added teams to bus terminals starting this week. San Diego urged residents to lock their houses and secure their valuables before leaving home for the Holy Week exodus. Also, he advised them to secure their liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks lest they accidentally start fires. San Diego said he has ordered his men to conduct regular patrols around the city against burglars. — RSJ, GMANews.TV