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Motorists endure heavy traffic along EDSA in Guadalupe, Kamati on December 22, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Motorists endure heavy traffic along EDSA in Guadalupe, Makati on December 22, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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Christmas traffic along EDSA

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173433679002220231222-christmas-traffic-edsa-MT-4.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Motorists endure heavy traffic along EDSA in Guadalupe, Makati on December 22, 2023. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday said that it expected the holiday road, terminal and port congestion to last until mid-January 2025, with around 7 million passengers trooping to various gateways across the Philippines.</p><p>The “carmageddon” in Metro Manila started in November and is expected to stretch until the first two weeks of 2025, said Jonathan Gesmundo, executive assistant to the DOTr secretary.</p><p>“Nasa 3 million ang inaasahan na dadagsa sa PITX, 4 million ang inaasahan sa mga pier, ports, seaports… hanggang next month, I think first two weeks of January,” he told state television PTV.</p><p>(We are expecting 3 million to go to PITX, 4 million to go to piers, ports, seaports...until next month, I think first two weeks of January.)</p><p>The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has opened <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2024/12/9/ltfrb-admits-5-000-special-permits-for-tnvs-not-enough-for-holiday-rush-1638">5,000 additional slots for ride-hailing services</a> to accommodate the surge of passengers during the holiday rush, he said.</p><p>Trains in Metro Manila are opening an hour ahead of their original schedules and are extending their operations for another hour before closing, he said.</p><p>“Hindi kakayanin na dagdagan pa dahil ito ay kakain sa mandatory daily maintenance ng mga bagon, ng mga riles natin,” Gesmundo said.</p><p>“Hindi namin puwedeng ikompromiso yung safety concerns nitong ating tatlong rail systems sa Metro Manila… Hanggang doon na lang talaga dahil kailangan natin iensure na safe ang paglalakbay nionyo ngayong kapaskuhan,” he added.</p><p>(We can&#x27;t compromise the safety of the 3 rail systems in Metro Manila...they can only operate until a certain hour so you can travel safely this Christmas.)</p><p>The DOTr official appealed to the public to refrain from using their private vehicles as much as possible to decongest the capital region during the Christmas season.</p><p>“Wag sana iasa sa pamahalaan ang pagluluwag ng traffic,” he said.</p><p>“Makakatulong po tayo sa pamamagitan nang pag-iwan natin sa ating mga garahe ng ating mga pribadong sasakyan,” he said.</p><p>“Mag-public transport na lang po.”</p><p>(Let us not rely solely on govermment to ease traffic. We can help by leaving our private cars at home. Let&#x27;s take public transport.)</p><p>The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) earlier said that the rush hour in Metro Manila has stretched from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. — from the usual 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. — as more Filipinos travel to the capital region to shop ahead of the holidays.</p><p>The government has been implementing various policies to ease traffic in Metro Manila, including pausing road works and urging malls and retailers to have longer operating hours.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED STORY:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1X85auBbCdA?&amp;ab_channel=ABS-CBNNewsautoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The DOTr said it expected the holiday traffic to last until mid-January 2025.</p>

Holiday carmageddon, congested ports expected to last until mid-January: DOTr

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Holiday carmageddon, congested ports expected to last until mid-January: DOTr

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 16, 2024 04:23 PM PHT

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