The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Saturday said it has already deployed some 1,448 traffic enforcers ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on 30 October and Undas 2023 on 1 November.

In a news forum, MMDA-Traffic Enforcement Group director Victor Nuñez said the agency also deployed street sweepers in five major cemeteries in Metro Manila for the commemoration of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

Nuñez said ambulances and emergency vehicles operated by the MMDA's road emergency group are already prepositioned in major thoroughfares.

"I and MMDA Chairman Don Artes will do the rounds this Saturday in Metro Manila's terminals to make sure that everything is in order particularly as more people are rushing home to the provinces for the long weekend," he added. 

Since Friday, Nuñez said heavy traffic has been observed at South Luzon Expressway, North Luzon Expressway and Skyway "as motorists started traveling to their respective provinces." Traffic condition was also observed near the airports and seaports, he added. 

"Talagang aside from mga biyahero na pumupunta sa ports, airports and bus terminals, marami rin ho talagang nagdala ng mga private vehicles papunta o pauwi sa kani-kanilang mga probinsiya. Kaya siguro kahapon marami nang nag-half day kaya buhos na po iyong mga sasakyan sa mga expressway palabas ng Metro Manila," Nunez said.

He advised travelers to be more patient, plan accordingly, and go to travel terminals ahead of time.

"Make sure that you have enough time or leeway kung kayo ay pupunta sa pantalan, sa mga bus terminals and airports kasi ho talaga sa dami ng mga umuwi ngayon, we would expect na talagang tutukod ang traffic lalung-lalo na doon sa malalapit sa airports and bus terminals," he said.