Balik-Byahe Blues: Metro Commuters Hit by Monday Rush After Holy Week
Metro Manila commuters — rewritten from GMA News
Monday started rough for many Metro Manila commuters as the post-Holy Week balik-trabaho rush triggered long lines and siksikan rides in key transport areas. Based on the GMA News report, the buildup was already visible before sunrise, especially around PHILCOA in Quezon City.
Passengers were dealing with buses and jeepneys that were already full, with some riders forced to stand inside packed vehicles while others clung to the back of traditional jeepneys. By around 5 a.m., the crowd had spread across several lanes, showing just how quickly the rush escalated.
Authorities reminded commuters to stay within designated PUV stops instead of spilling into active lanes, a move meant to reduce both traffic and safety risks. Even so, westbound traffic along Commonwealth Avenue slowed as more vehicles headed toward Elliptical Road.
The travel stress was not limited to Quezon City. GMA also reported that late Sunday night, passengers returning from the provinces jammed the One Ayala Transport Terminal in Makati, where some struggled to book rides after learning MRT-3 operations had been temporarily suspended.
To ease the situation, the Department of Transportation deployed additional buses with free rides for affected passengers. Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard said it monitored more than 400,000 port passengers on Easter Sunday, showing that the holiday return wave was still in full swing.
Source: GMA News — https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/982711/commuters-in-metro-manila-face-back-to-work-rush-after-holy-week-break/story/
