Metro travelers return after spending holidays

Thousands of passengers continued to arrive in large numbers at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Saturday afternoon as many Filipinos returned to work and school following the holiday break.

According to Jamie Santos' report on 24 Oras, several travelers said they spent Christmas and New Year’s in Metro Manila and various provinces and were now heading back home ahead of classes and office work resuming on Monday.

One passenger said their family spent the holidays in Valenzuela City and was returning to Bicol, lamenting that it may take some time before they see their mother again.

Another lady traveler said she and her family were heading back to Albay after spending their vacation in Las Piñas City.

"Bitin na bitin (The break felt too short)," she said.

A woman who traveled with her children to Cavite to visit her sibling said family bonding remained the highlight of their trip, even as they prepared to return to Caloocan City where her children attend school.

Security at PITX remained tight, with all baggage undergoing inspection, including the use of K-9 units. Authorities said several prohibited items were confiscated from passengers on Saturday.

PITX recorded more than 2.8 million passengers entering the terminal from December 19, 2025 to January 2.

The highest foot traffic was logged on December 23, with more than 231,000 passengers, while passenger volume dropped on New Year’s Eve, according to the terminal management.

Elsewhere in the country, heavy passenger traffic was also reported. According to the Philippine Ports Authority, more than 160,000 passengers traveled back through the port from December 13 until Saturday noon.

At the Lipa City Grand Terminal, trips bound for Metro Manila continued throughout the day, although some passengers experienced difficulty boarding due to a shortage of buses.

In Sorsogon, many trips bound for Manila from the Bulan Integrated Terminal were already fully booked, with the next available trips set for January 5 or Monday.

Augmentation bus units were deployed for chance passengers, such as those in bouynd for Manila from Pangasinan and Baguio City.—MCG, GMA Integrated News