Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 10) — Traffic buildup on expressways going to Metro Manila is expected to peak Monday night following the Holy Week break, an official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Sunday.
DOTr Office of the Secretary Executive Assistant Jonathan Gesmundo said that gradual traffic buildup along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway already began on Sunday.
“The different tollways that will be used to enter the expressways, we will expect also buildup starting tonight (Sunday) and then, it will reach probably its peak tomorrow (Monday) night,” Gesmundo told CNN Philippines.
NLEX traffic operations head Robin Ignacio said they estimate some 400,000 vehicles plying the expressway on their way to Metro Manila as classes and work resume on Tuesday.
The DOTr is also foreseeing an influx of passengers at seaports in Manila and Batangas.
“The ports, we expect also increased volume here in Manila and in Batangas. The other ports, we expect not much increase. At Matnog, yes, there could be the expected increase in crossings,” said Gesmundo.
The Philippine Coast Guard logged 87,373 outbound passengers and 83,535 inbound passengers in all ports across the country on April 9, 12 noon to 6 p.m.
The DOTr also reported a 185-percent increase in the arrivals and departures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during the first quarter of the year.
Meanwhile, Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) officer-in-charge Jorjette Aquino inspected the rail transit’s maintenance facilities as it will resume operations on April 10.
Operations of the MRT-3 and other rail lines were suspended from April 6 and will resume on April 10.
