People return to Metro Manila after long Undas weekend

People who stayed up north for this year’s traditional Undas observance have begun their exodus back to Metro Manila after the long weekend. 

According to Darlene Cay’s report in “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, traffic jams are expected in parts of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) on Sunday. This prompted some motorists to hit the road early to avoid the build-up.

Mark Louie Ocampo and his family made sure to drive early back to Metro Manila after experiencing traffic congestion while traveling to Bataan last Friday. 

“...Nag-isip na po ng paraan at araw po talaga at oras na ilalalaan sa pag-uwi. Mamaya po kasi sobra na po ang traffic,” he said. 

(...We really had to think of a way, a day, and enough time for the journey back home. Because later on, the traffic jams will be too much.) 

Likewise, Andrei Mataro took advantage of the uncongested road after staying in Pampanga for the past days. 

“Mas madali ang biyahe. Ganitong oras kasi di naman traffic,” he said. 

(The travel is easier at this hour. Because at this time, it’s not yet congested with traffic anyway.) 

NLEX authorities freed up one northbound lane for counterflowing motorists traveling to Metro Manila as heavy traffic is expected by the evening. 

“Inantabay na po namin ‘yung counterflow dito sa Balagtas area hanggang Bocaue Toll Plaza para mas mabilis po makarating sa Bocaue Toll Plaza ‘yung ating mga motorista,” said NLEX AVP for Traffic Operations Robin Ignacio. 

(We have prepared for the counterflow here in the Balagtas area up to the Bocaue Toll Plaza so that our motorists can reach the Bocaue Toll Plaza faster.)

“And then after Bocaue Toll Plaza dito sa may tapat ng Ciudad de Victoria, dito sa southbound, meron din po tayong counterflow. Tuloy-tuloy na po ‘yun, all the way to Balintawak area,” he added.

(And then after Bocaue Toll Plaza, here across from Ciudad de Victoria, on the southbound lane, we also have a counterflow. That will go all the way to the Balintawak area.) 

More than 500,000 motorists are projected to use the NLEX on Sunday as classes resume and people return to work on Monday. 

SLEX, Batangas Port

On the other hand, the situation at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) is different with only light traffic as the number of motorists is expected to reach its peak on Monday.

According to Dano Tingcungco’s report, the “One RFID” interoperability program is already being implemented wherein SLEX’s Autosweep and NLEX’s Easytrip can be used in either thoroughfares. 

Quick response teams are also on standby along the SLEX, along with ambulances, tow trucks, and fire engines.

Meanwhile, passengers coming from Mindoro, Romblon, and other provinces in the Visayas also flocked to the Batangas Port on Sunday to travel back to Metro Manila. 

Rizal cemetery

 While some have already visited their departed loved ones earlier, it’s a tradition for the residents of Angono, Rizal to visit the cemetery on All Souls’ Day. 

In Nico Waje’s report, residents noticed that only a few visited the Angono Municipal Cemetery today unlike last year. 

“Dati kasi siksikan, ngayon hindi na. Siguro kagabi pa yung iba pumunta rito,” said “Mona.”

(Before, it was crowded, but not anymore. Maybe others came here last night.) 

“Medyo hindi siya ganun karami,” said Rizal Provincial Police Office acting director Police Colonel Filoteo Gonzalgo, adding that some could have visited the cemetery on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. 

On the other hand, some graves in the municipal cemetery are submerged in floods. GMA Integrated News is reaching out to the local government for a comment. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA Integrated News