Residents leave NCR for provinces in pre-ECQ exodus

Some residents of Metro Manila have gone on an exodus out of the National Capital Region to their respective provinces hours before the enforcement of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) starting Aug. 6.

According to Emil Sumangil's report on "24 Oras", one of them, Ronio Barbasa, said he'd rather return to his hometown in Bacolod because there would be no job opportunities for him during the lockdown.

At the Manila Northport Terminal, Criselda Nacua was one of the fortunate ones who got a a ticket to Ozamiz.

"Wala kaming trabaho, mahirap kasi dito (We are unemployed. It's difficult to live here)," said Nacua.

Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) management also found a spike in commuters before the strictest lockdown.

The management said it expected over 60,000 passengers going to Southern Tagalog on the eve of the ECQ.

Jason Salvador, spokesman for PITX, said the public terminal would be open during ECQ but some local government units such as those in the Bicol region would require negative antigen test results.

Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX), meanwhile, both geared up for the expected influx of vehicles ahead of ECQ.

SLEX President Engineer Manny Bonoan said they instructed toll plazas and traffic patrollers to be prepared for the "exodus" as more vehicles are expected to pass through the expressway this Thursday. —Consuelo Marquez/NB, GMA News