Nine days to go to Christmas Day. The Christmas spirit is being felt, especially at public places in Iloilo City.

More areas have become crowded, as visitors and shoppers converge.

Home-bound passengers have started to flock at bus terminals and ports of the city.

To ensure security, Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 tightens security measures in the said places.

Police remind residents expected to leave their houses to either be on a vacation or visit other places.

“Bago tayo lumabas sa ating mga bahay, i-ensure natin na naka-lock ang ating mga bahay, ang pintuan, even ang bintana. Safety reminders sa ating mga kababayan, kung minsan magpo-post kaagad tayo kung saan tayo pumupunta na maaaring magbigay ng opportunity sa mga may balak na gumawa ng krimen,” said Major Lailyn Sencil, PRO 6 spokesperson.

Situation on major roads depict the Christmas rush. 

Traffic flow slows down, not just during rush hours but almost the entire day.

Wilfredo Malacad, a taxicab driver, said that almost half of his income in December is lost to the traffic jam.

“Humina rin. Mahina ang income kasi matagal kaming makabalik at maka-pick up ng pasahero,” Malacad pointed out.

Another taxi driver, Ruben Escalera, expects city traffic to worsen as December 24 nears.

“Ito ang panahong unti-unti nang lumalala. Ngunit pagdating ng (December) 24, babalik na sa normal. Paglagpas naman ng Christmas, mga 27, ‘yan na naman ang pagbagal,” Escalera said.

The Iloilo City Traffic and Transportation Management Office focuses tightly on chokepoints at thoroughfares.

PRO 6 advises motorists to be more patient in order to avoid serious situations.

“I-observe natin ang traffic rules. Ang pasensya natin habang nasa kalsada lalo na’t masyadong traffic, habaan talaga natin,” Sencil added.

Aside from police personnel, force multipliers have also been deployed to help maintain peace and order.