Passengers troop to PITX on Christmas eve

Passengers flocked to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) to catch a ride to their respective destinations on Christmas eve.

According to Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras,” over 55,000 passengers still trooped to the terminal amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the number is still lower than the average 80,000 daily passengers before COVID-19.

“Malaking kagulatan din sa atin ito pero gayunpaman, natutuwa tayo sa isang banda dahil alam naman nating ‘pag may travel na, medyo nakakatulong sa pagbangon ng ekonomiya,” PITX corporate affairs head Jason Salvador said.

“Pero gayunpaman, medyo natatakot din tayo baka ito maging dahilan ng pag-surge ng COVID-19,” he added.

PITX reminded travelers to secure a travel authority from the Philippine National Police, a valid government ID and other necessary documents prior to their trip.

This is the first Christmas to be spent by Filipinos amid lockdowns, massive loss of jobs, and health crisis posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

So far, the virus has claimed 9,055 lives in the Philippines, and vaccine availability is being eyed by March 2021.—Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News