Passengers traveling to and from Camarines Sur have been facing grueling traffic jams this holiday season.

In an interview with DAILY TRIBUNE, Jesmer Yanto shared that his usual 11-hour journey from Cubao in Quezon City to Naga, Camarines Sur took nearly 18 hours due to the heavy traffic.

Yanto, who traveled home to Naga on Saturday, 21 December, said the delay was a significant inconvenience.

Similarly, Marcelle Caroche, who traveled from Ermita, Manila, to Naga before the holiday rush, also spent 18 hours on the road.

“Grabe po kasi yung daanan, like super rough road, tas ang rami rin pong construction, tas maulan pa po dito kaya yun rin po (It’s bad because the road is super rough, and there’s a lot of construction, plus it was still raining here, so that’s why),” Caroche said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) previously noted that the heavy traffic is currently affecting Barangay Cabutagan in Lupi, Camarines Sur.

“This situation has arisen due to road slips and ongoing road reblocking activities in the affected areas,” the DPWH said.

The agency added that it is taking “immediate remedial actions,” including steel sheet pile driving and backfilling to accommodate a two-lane traffic flow, as well as temporarily halting all ongoing work activities in the Lupi road stretch.

“We assure everyone that these actions are being prioritized to resolve the situation as quickly as possible,” the DPWH added, emphasizing that it has been working around the clock to ensure these measures are implemented effectively.