Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 30) — Authorities on Thursday assured the public that efforts are being made to secure permits for additional buses at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) as tickets for some destinations run out with the expected influx of passengers for the Holy Week break.
Holy Week will be observed this year from April 2 (Palm Sunday) to April 9 (Easter Sunday). The long weekend starts on April 6 (Maundy Thursday), while April 10 (Monday) has also been declared a holiday to mark Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor).
“We are experiencing an influx already,” PITX spokesperson Jason Salvador told CNN Philippines’ The Source. “As early as last week, we have been receiving advance booking, reservations, and in fact some tickets to some routes are running out specifically to the Bicol route.”
Salvador said on Wednesday about 1.2 million passengers are expected to troop to the PITX to head home to their provinces during the Holy Week break.
He said they are coordinating with bus operators to be able to deploy more units. The corresponding permits will then be issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), he added.
READ: More than 700 special bus permits ready for Holy Week travel – LTFRB
He advised travelers to call their desired bus operators or the PITX first before heading to the terminal to know if there are still available slots going to their destination.
If none, they can make a reservation so authorities will know how many buses are still needed to fill the demand, Salvador said.
