Over 5 million passengers per day expected during Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines — More than five million passengers per day are expected to travel during Holy Week, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said yesterday.

“We have a large number of passengers because as we all know, it has been a tradition when it is Holy Week, we go to our provinces,” Lopez said at a press briefing.

Of the projected daily volume, about three million passengers are expected at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, 2.6 million through seaports and around 150,000 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Despite fewer bus units due to rising fuel costs, Lopez assured the public there would be enough supply to meet demand.

However, he warned of possible longer waits or limited slots at seaports due to fuel constraints affecting vessels, advising travelers to book their tickets early.

Additional vessels have been positioned in Marinduque, Batangas and Calapan to assist stranded passengers.

Rail operations for LRT-1, LRT-2 and MRT-3 will be suspended from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday for maintenance, while the EDSA Busway will remain operational.

Half day today in government offices

Meanwhile, government offices will implement a half-day work schedule today.

Based on Memorandum Circular 116 issued by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto yesterday, offices will operate under a work-from-home arrangement from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. — Rhodina Villanueva, Emmanuel Tupas, Rainier Allan Ronda, Helen Flores