Dev Flores

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) reminds the public regarding the strict implementation of firecracker ban in Davao City during the long holiday break. Aside from the firecrackers, improvised explosive devices are also prohibited in the city.

The City Ordinance 060-02 or the Firecracker Ban ensures the safety of Davaoeños in celebrating the holidays by prohibiting the possession, use, sale, manufacture and distribution of pyrotechnic devices in Davao City

Violators of this ordinance shall be subject to a fine or possible imprisonment or both 

The following penalties per offense are:

First offense - ₱1,000 fine or 20 days to 1 month imprisonment or both

Second offense - ₱3,000 fine or 1 to 3 months of  imprisonment or both

Third offense - ₱5,000 fine or 3 to 6 months of  imprisonment or both

Davao City Police Office Spokesperson PCpt. Hazel C. Tuazon stated their goal in sustaining accident prevention hoping to get zero reported incidents and injuries.

“Since na-enjoy na natin na walang paputok dito sa ating lungsod sa Davao, gusto ng ating City Director na ma-sustain na walang disgrasya. Other than that, wala rin sanang ma-record na ma-injured at makuha ang zero incident.” she said

[“Since we enjoyed the firecracker-free in our city in Davao, our City Director wants to sustain no accidents. Other than that, we hope to record no injuries and achieve zero incident.”]

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The Manila Northport Passenger Terminal now reaches its full capacity. On December 24, only one ship is scheduled to depart around 9:30 PM with over 800 passengers on board.

Terminal Manager Jenneliza Rebong confirmed that the trip is already fully-booked, giving the chance passengers a slim opportunity to be accommodated.

“Fully-booked na. Kapag marami ‘yong magcha-chance passenger, maiipon sila dito sa PCP o dito sa concourse.” Rebong said

[It's fully-booked already. If there are too many arriving chance passengers, they will just stuck here at the PCP or on the concourse.”]

The volume of passengers is expected to decrease this week after the high influx of passengers during last weekend’s exodus. 

Furthermore, there will be no operations or trips tomorrow, December 25 and on December 31, 2025.

The terminal advises those who are planning to travel to book their tickets in advance via online or accredited partners and stores. They also reiterated the slim opportunity for the chance passengers to be accommodated.

No untoward incidents have been reported since the start of  holiday rush. Passengers are still advised to adhere to the safety protocols, particularly in the restrictions in bringing sharp objects to ensure a convenient and safe travel experience.

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Traffic in EDSA is gradually getting heavier as the long holiday is approaching. On December 15, based on the record of MMDA, 430,000 vehicles passed through EDSA. 

Higher numbers are expected, especially this coming weekend where many people are heading to provinces for vacation. To prevent travel delays for provincial buses, the MMDA will allow them to pass through EDSA. 

“Sumulat na po sa atin ang buses, bus association at atin na pong pinayagan sila na bumaybay ng EDSA para po mas mabilis yung turnaround time,”  Atty. Artes said

[“Buses, bus association wrote to us and we allow them to pass through EDSA for faster turnaround time,”]

Together with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO) and other supporting agencies, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conducted an inspection and random drug testing among bus drivers and conductors in several bus stations in Cubao, Quezon City.

"Our inspection aims to ensure the safe, orderly, and convenient movement of commuters and prevent untoward incidents at bus terminals during the holiday rush," Atty. Artes said in the issued statement of MMDA.

A bus driver like Emmanuel Cruz agreed with this initiative, noting that if the driver is in a good condition, safe travel experience can be assured. 

“Napaka-importante po kasi nakakasigurado tayo na kondisyon ‘yung mga drayber. Sure tayo na ligtas tayo.” the driver said

[“This is important because we can assure that the drivers are iin good condition. We are sure that we’re safe.”]

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao stated that once the driver is confirmed positive in a drug test, they are no longer allowed to drive and their driver’s license will be confiscated.

“Sa amin po, sa LTO, once po na nag-positive po ‘yung mga driver natin, hindi po sila pwedeng mag-drive na. Kukumpiskahin po namin yung kanilang driver’s license, so sisiguraduhin po natin na hindi sila maka-biyahe.” Lacanilao said 

[“For us, on LTO, once the driver is confirmed positive, they can no longer be allowed to drive. We’ll confiscate their driver’s license, so we will make sure that they are not allowed to travel.”]

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has suspended the implementation of surge pricing cap on Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS).

The implementation of the surge was suspended due to the letter received by the LTFRB from one transport network asking for a grace period to fix their program and system configuration. 

Surge pricing is the fare increase which occurs when the booking demand is high but few vehicles are available.

This is supposedly effective on December 17, 2025. However, due to the concerns from a transport network, the LTFRB confirmed to reschedule the surge pricing on Saturday, December 20, 2025.

“The new target timeline for implementation of the new adjusted surge pricing is on Saturday.” LTFRB Chair Atty. Mendoza II said.

The surge is effective until January 4, 2026.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon announced that the EDSA rehabilitation will start on December 24, 2025, 11:00 PM to January 5, 2026, 4:00 AM. 

EDSA rehab suspension due to public concerns

This rehabilitation was originally planned to begin on June 13, 2025.  However, President Bongbong Marcos Jr. ordered to the DOTr and DPWH to pause the plan while the government is conducting further studies regarding the cost-benefit and its effect on traffic. 

It would be also a chance to identify more effective ways to make the rehab faster and less disruptive for commuters and motorists.

PBBM instructed former DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon (now DPWH Secretary) and former DPWH Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan to suspend the plan.

“Mayroon tayong mga nakita na mga bagong teknolohiya na hindi natin ginamit don sa pagplano sa EDSA rehabilitation. Kaya ininstructionan ko si Secretary Vince Dizon at tsaka si Secretary Manny Bonoan ng DPWH ay sinabi ko, “pause muna” doon sa rehabilitation,” PBBM said

[“We discovered new technologies that we didn’t use for the planning of EDSA rehabilitation. That’s why I instructed Secretary Vince Dizon and Secretary Manny Bonoan of DPWH, I said, “pause for a while” on the rehabilitation,”]

PBBM added that it would be a big sacrifice for the public if the rehabilitation will take 2 years to be completed. 

The newest timeline and plan for rehabilitation

Originally, the previous plan for rehabilitation was 2 years but now updated into 8 months.

The first 4 months will start from Roxas Boulevard from Orense and the next 4 months will be on the remaining parts of EDSA.

The rehabilitation will start from the holiday break (Dec. 24, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026) wherein most of the commuters and motorists in Metro Manila are on vacation. Asphalt overlay and reblocking works are expected to begin.  

After holiday break, another schedule will be implemented until the phase 1 is completed in May 2026.  

“Magta-trabaho, 10pm to 4am. Pero pagdating ng 5am, bubuksan na yan to regular traffic. Pag Friday to Sunday naman,  ganon pa ring working hours, pero imbes na asphalt overlay lang, pwede ding mag-reblock kung may kinakailangang ireblock.” Sec. Dizon said

[Working hours will be from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM. But by 5:00 AM, it will be open to regular traffic. Every Friday to Sunday, still in the same working hours, but instead of asphalt overlay works only, reblocking is also allowed if necessary.”]

They also aim to minimize disruption for commuters. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon stated that the original plan of reblocking the entire EDSA will no longer be carried out. In the newest plan, reblocking will be only done in selected and necessary areas. 

Moreover, the 17-B pesos original budget for rehabilitation has been cut to 6-B pesos.