Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 30) – A sheer number of people rushed to transport hubs to beat the expected influx of passengers a day before the country celebrates New Year’s eve on Sunday.
As of 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) recorded 101,684 travelers.
But, the PITX projected a passenger volume of up to 180,000 a day before the year-end festivities.
On Friday, the public transport terminal saw over 170,000 passengers come through.
However, despite a large number of travelers, some said that it was easier to commute this year.
Paul Chavez, an overseas Filipino worker traveling to Batangas, told CNN Philippines: “Gusto nga ng mga anak ko sunduin ako. Ko-commute na lang ako. Hindi na katulad dati na daming mga papel mo, ngayon online lahat kaya madali.”
[Translation: My children wanted to pick me up but I’ll just commute. It’s not like last year when one needed so many documents, this year, everything is online.]
In total, PITX is expecting to accommodate 2.6 million passengers throughout the holiday rush from Dec. 15 to Jan. 3.
Meanwhile, 142,718 Filipinos flocked to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday, Dec. 29, as part of the holiday travel bug.
The Manila International Airport Authority said NAIA had accommodated 3.87 million passengers by Dec. 29, a 14.11% increase compared to the 3.39 million travelers recorded in the same period last year.
