More travelers are expected to hit the road on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, the first day of the Holy Week break in the Philippines.

With the break lasting four days up to Easter Sunday, many take the opportunity to go home to their hometowns or go on trips with family and friends.

Many, particularly the Catholic faithful, also travel to visit pilgrimage sites.

Days prior to Thursday, authorities have exhausted means to ensure public transportation meets the demand and observes the highest standards of safety.

In Dagupan City, for example, personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Land Transportation Office (LTO) were early at the bus terminal to check on the peace and order situation, and the roadworthiness of buses.

Buses hit the road from the Dagupan terminal on a 15-minute interval.

“Hindi po tayo naiipunan ng pasahero dahil tuloy-tuloy ang biyahe. Every 15 minutes ang internal,” says Robert Silvestre, the terminal master.

The bus company has assured that both drivers and vehicles are in top shape.

Morning on April 16, 2025, LTO personnel carried out a surprise inspection at the bus terminal in Laoag City.

K9 units even inspected baggages of travelers.

To ensure further that they are at their best when they hit the road, drivers and conductors were made to undergo a surprise drug test.