Passengers build up at bus terminals, airports ahead of Election Day

A few days before the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE), passengers will cast their vote in their home provinces have begun to flock to airports and bus terminals.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Oscar Oida on Thursday, passengers at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) are already facing difficulties in booking tickets back to their provinces.

However, most passengers are still waiting for available seats so they can cast their vote on May 12.

“Napakahalaga po niyan ngayon na eleksyon na makapagboto… para mai[lagay] natin yung mga dapat iluklok na tamang tao para sa ating gobyerno, lalo na ngayon. Panahon na siguro para mabago ang strategy ng mga politiko, lalo na yung mga pulitiko na trapo. Kailangan mawala sa kanilang position,” shared Edgar Bien, who was making his way to Tabaco, Albay.

(It’s important during this election period that we vote… so that we can [put] the right person in the right place in government, especially now. It’s about time for politicians to change their strategies, especially for the trapo. They need to be removed from their positions.)

“Mahalaga po [ang makaboto] eh… Mahalaga sa lahat, [para] sa pagbabago ng aming bayan,” added Girlie Andrade from Camarines Sur.

(It’s important that [we vote]… It’s important for everybody, [for] the change in our country.)

The PITX management said walk-in passengers began to pour in on Monday, so trips were fully booked.

The management assured that they have prepared enough buses to accommodate all passengers.

They are expecting to service around 180,000 to 200,000 on Friday, which is the expected peak of election-related travel.

“Marami pa tayong naitalang extra trips. Nagdagdag tayo, specifically [for the] Bicol region nanaman, ang usual natin na nagfu-fully booked. Siyempre, ngayon, nakikita rin natin yung Laguna, Batangas, Quezon… Hinihintay natin if ever [na] magkaron man ng fully booked status, magdadagdag naman tayo [ng biyahe],” said PITX Senior Corporate Officer Kolyn Calbasa.

(We have arranged a lot of extra trips. We added some, specifically [for the] Bicol Region, which is usually fully booked. Of course, we’re also looking at Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon… We are waiting in case there is a fully booked status, we will add more [trips].)

Meanwhile, there were considerably less passengers at the Araneta City Bus Station in Cubao, Quezon City, which is only serviced by 5 bus companies.

The management of the bus terminal assured that there are enough buses, especially for trips to Lucena, Batangas, and Nueva Ecija.

“Hanggang maaari, punta na lang sila ng maaga para makaiwas rin sila kung sakaling dumagsa ang pasahero dahil sa election. Maluwag naman tayo sa Araneta City Bus Port… Komportable, kumpleto naman tayo ng pasilidad, at ang ating bus na naandito ngayon ay supisyente naman,” said Araneta Center Bus Terminal manager Ramon Legazpi.

(As much as possible, they should come early so that they can avoid the crowd in case passengers flock in because of the election. It’s still relaxed here in Araneta City Bus Port… It’s comfortable, with complete facilities, and the buses we have at the moment are sufficient.)

Travellers have also begun to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

“Sobrang importante po nito sa amin, especially for the youth, kasi po dito nakasalalay yung kapakanan [at] yung future ng mga kabataan,” said traveller Suzanne Palisa.

(This is very important to us, especially for the youth, because our welfare [and] future of the youth is at stake.) — Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.