UNDAS 2025: PITX, bus terminals fill up as exodus begins

Filipinos in the National Capital Region are flocking to bus terminals to catch trips going to their hometowns while taking advantage of the long weekend this upcoming All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. 

According to Oscar Oida’s report in “24 Oras,” the influx of passengers at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange is expected to peak on Thursday as Friday, October 31 was also declared a special non-working holiday. 

Jovel Ayuban is feeling a mix of emotions as he returns home to Agusan del Sur, which was recently hit by an earthquake. 

“Kung may pera lang kami, makakauwi agad. Masakit po na hindi agad makauwi, kung anong nangyari sa pamilya. Siyempre nilindol sila doon,” he said. 

(If we only had money, we could have returned home early. It saddens me that we were not able to travel back home last time to check on our family, especially that they were affected by the earthquake.) 

Meanwhile, Russel Nuñez can’t wait to go back to Sorsogon together with his pet dogs Maui and Gia. 

“Yung isa diyan may sepanx, separation anxiety. Kapag iniwan siya, nagkakalat siya ng kung ano-ano, nagngangatngat ng mga wire, damit sa amin. Kaya every time na babiyahe kami or papasok sa work, sinasama,” he shared. 

(One of my pets is experiencing sepanx or separation anxiety. Whenever you leave him, he loves to create a mess, bite on wires or on clothes. So whenever we travel or go to work, we need to bring them with us.) 

PITX spokesperson Jason Salvador advised fur parents who wish to bring their pets with them on their trip to put them in carriers and let them wear diapers. 

While there are more than 148,000 passengers so far at PITX, the terminal management assured that there are enough bus trips to cater all passengers. 

“Mayroon tayong mga additional units na bibigyan ng kaukulang special permits,” said Salvador. 

(We will issue special permits to additional units.) 

On the other hand, the situation in bus terminals along EDSA Cubao remained normal  on Thursday. But terminal staff are expecting an influx starting Friday. 

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) earlier allowed provincial buses to traverse along EDSA for 24 hours daily starting 10 p.m. of October 30 until 5 a.m. of November 3. 

But buses coming from central and northern Luzon are only allowed to stop over at Cubao bus terminals. Meanwhile, those coming from southern Luzon are allowed to stop at PITX and Pasay terminals. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News