For Undas travellers: Capitol rolls out free meals, rides

CEBU, Philippines — For the first time, commuters traveling to their hometowns for the Undas holidays will receive free rice meals at the Cebu provincial government-run bus terminals from October 29 to November 1.

Retired Col. Dennis Pastor, head of the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said the provincial government would provide an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 rice meals daily to assist passengers traveling to northern and southern Cebu.

The meals will be distributed during lunch and dinner through mobile kitchens deployed at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) and Cebu North Bus Terminal (NBT).

Pastor said the initiative follows the directive of Gov. Pamela Baricuatro to provide food assistance to commuters heading home for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

“Naa tay rice meals para sa katong mga commuters, katong manguli sa North ug South. Mag deploy tag mobile kitchen,” Pastor said.

The meals will feature various viands, including lechon manok, pancit and beef steak, among others.

Distribution will begin around lunchtime, followed by another round at dinner. Pastor said priority would be given to passengers who need the assistance most.

“Ang i-priority sa meals kay katong mga nanginahanglan,” he said.

Pastor added that the initiative is part of the provincial government’s continuing efforts to promote food security.

The program comes as passenger traffic at the province’s two bus terminals is expected to surge during the annual Undas exodus.

The CSBT serves an average of 7,000 passengers on weekdays and 11,000 on weekends, while the NBT accommodates around 2,000 passengers on weekdays and 4,000 on weekends.

With passenger numbers expected to double during the holiday period, the provincial government is also expanding its transport assistance to ease congestion and accommodate more travelers.

This year, eight buses will be deployed under the provincial government’s Libreng Sakay program, two more than the six units used during last year’s Undas observance.

The free rides are intended to assist persons with disabilities, pregnant women and parents traveling with children, who may face additional challenges during the holiday rush.

Baricuatro has also called for coordination among law enforcement agencies and local governments to maintain orderly travel and ensure the safety of residents returning to their hometowns or visiting cemeteries.

Municipalities along major highways are being tapped to help manage traffic, particularly in areas where cemeteries are located beside major roads.

The coordination also aims to prevent delays in bus movements and allow public utility vehicles to complete their trips and return to the terminals more efficiently.

To help reduce commuters’ expenses, Baricuatro signed Economic and Enterprise Council Resolution No. 2026-012, which temporarily suspends entrance fees at both the CSBT and NBT.

Terminal Administrator Ahmed Cuizon said the suspension would not disrupt the operations of either facility, assuring passengers that terminal services would remain available throughout the holiday period.

The provincial government has also introduced improvements to make the terminals more comfortable for passengers. These include 10 high-capacity fans, Iwata air-cooling units and five industrial air-conditioning systems. Additional janitorial personnel have also been assigned to maintain cleanliness as passenger volume increases.

“I’ll make sure nga safe and clean atong banyo and comfortable ang atong mga mo-byahe padong sa probinsya,” Baricuatro said.

Security personnel will also be deployed to key cemeteries in coordination with the Cebu Police Provincial Office. Transport officials will work with national enforcement agencies and local governments to manage traffic along major routes.

Passengers are reminded not to bring sharp objects into the terminals.

Those traveling with pets must use appropriate carriers or cages, while all commuters are urged to dispose of their garbage properly.- FPL (CEBU NEWS)