Holy Week traffic on NLEx seen to peak at 493,000 daily
Balintawak Toll Plaza Northbound, NLEx Harbor Link Northbound, Mindanao Toll Plaza Eastbound, Meycauayan Interchange, Bocaue Toll Plaza Northbound, and San Fernando Northbound as of April 16, 2025 at 10:10 p.m. —Official Facebook page of NLEx Corporation
PULILAN, BULACAN, Philippines — An influx of motorists from Northern and Central Luzon is expected on major toll roads beginning Wednesday, as Holy Week travel gets underway.
Traffic volume along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), and the NLEx Connector is projected to peak at 493,000 vehicles daily, marking a significant increase in holiday road travel this year.
The Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the operator of these expressways, reported a 10-percent rise in Lenten season motorists compared to previous years.
READ: LTO deploys 1,700 traffic enforcers for Holy Week
Regular traffic along NLEx increased to 350,000 vehicles per day, up from 320,000 in 2023, while the NLEx Connector now sees 19,000 vehicles daily, compared to 17,000 previously. SCTEx traffic remains steady at 79,000 to 80,000 vehicles daily for both 2024 and 2025.
To manage the expected surge and ensure smooth travel, MPTC has launched its annual “Biyaheng Arangkada Semana Santa (Accelerated Holy Week Travel)” motorist assistance program, to run from April 16 (Holy Wednesday) to April 21.
MPTC President and CEO Jose Ma. Lim said the initiative prioritizes road safety, efficiency and passenger comfort throughout the summer vacation period, especially during peak travel dates.
According to Lim, the program includes enhanced roadside assistance, traffic management and support services across the expressway network.
Assistance
The company has deployed over 2,000 personnel since April 8 to manage traffic flow, provide emergency aid and assist motorists in need.
MPTC also strengthened toll plaza operations, improved Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) awareness and promoted responsible driving practices to maintain efficient travel.
The Biyaheng Arangkada initiative includes 24/7 emergency services, with roadside assistance teams and medical units stationed along key points of the expressways.
MPTC is also offering free basic mechanical services at designated Rest and Refuel Stations, including minor repairs and checkups. INQ
Free towing to the nearest exit is available for Class 1 vehicles traversing the NLEx, SCTEx, the NLEx Connector, Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), Cavitex, and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEx), from April 9 to April 14 and again from April 16 to 21.
Additional support includes RFID installation and reloading assistance from Easytrip teams at select locations.
For motorists of CCLEx, which connects Cebu City to the town of Cordova on Mactan Island, RFID services are available at the Cordova-bound Toll Plaza.
