Traveling for the holidays? Tips to make your road trips less stressful

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

LEGAZPI CITY---Hitting the road during the holiday season can be a delight, but it also presents challenges. As countless others travel to visit family or enjoy a getaway, bus terminals can become congested and overwhelming. Extra hurdles may involve carrying presents and food, as well as coping with inclement weather.

Don’t worry — Bicol Central Station (BCS) Manager Nonoy Reforsado is here to provide tips for navigating this busy time of year.

“While we do acknowledge our tradition of being with the whole family during Christmas break, I would especially advise senior citizens and those with comorbidities or health compromises to temporarily put off their plan of traveling, especially going to Bicol with the current traffic congestion that we are experiencing along the Andaya highway,” Reforsado said in an interview.

Commuters and motorists traveling from Manila to Bicol are currently facing long travel hours, which Reforsado says is typical based on historical records from previous holiday peak seasons. However, the situation has been exacerbated by ongoing road repairs, re-blocking, and recent damage at Sitio Mauca in Barangay Colacling, Lupi, Camarines Sur.

“We have records of a 14-18 hours length of time in previous years, but with the imposition of one-way lane due to the damaged road, including road repairs in some parts of the Quezon province, can actually add up another 3 to 4 hours of travel time or more, as being experienced by our motorists. So to those who will insist on going by land, expect 18 to more than 20 hours of travel time.”

Reforsado said that the nearly 23-hour travel experience over the past few days could have been much worse if government agencies had not intervened.

He advised commuters to carry extra money and to be patient while waiting in the long vehicle queues.

Travelers should avoid bringing infants or young children, and they should minimize extra baggage or bulky luggage to prevent added inconvenience. If it is necessary to travel with children, parents should bring extra clothes and other essentials. Additionally, having extra food and water is important, as there are isolated areas along the route.

“Cargo trucks that will ship products from Manila to Bicol, extra buses including provincial buses with Special Permit to accommodate the chance passengers at NCR terminals who wish to celebrate Christmas and New Year in Bicol and private vehicles will all add up to the long line of vehicles. During December po talaga, lalo na sa mga araw na palapit na ang December 25 and December 31, humahaba ang travel time because of the factors mentioned above,” Reforsado added.

Reforsado also urged the public to secure their baggage and be aware of their surroundings while traveling.

Pickpockets often blend in with other passengers and exploit busy situations. (PIA 5)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) personnel were deployed to help ease the traffic congestion along the Andaya Highway. To further address the issue, the LTO utilized drones to monitor motorists engaging in counterflow, a practice that significantly contributed to delays in travel time. (Photo credits: GMancera, LTO Operations Chief)