The number of travelers from and to this city has notably increased following the easing of restrictions since it was placed under Alert Level 2 effective December 1.

Movement of persons under Alert Level 2 is allowed except for restrictions based on age and comorbidities, as may be determined by local government units.

Rafael Derick Evangelista III, the local integrated bus terminal (IBT) administrator, said Thursday the number of passengers they serve increased to 800 outbound and 1,000 inbound passengers daily this month.

He said the increase in the number of travelers is huge compared to some 200 inbound and outbound passengers during the time of the stricter Alert Levels 3 and 4 health protocol restrictions in the past few months.

“Most of the time, the arriving buses are now full of passengers,” Evangelista said in an interview.

He noted that the IBT was serving an average of 3,000 passengers, both inbound and outbound before the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) last year.

Evangelista said he expects the number of passengers to further increase as trips from the city to Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, and vice-versa; and from here to Cagayan de Oro City vice-versa, have also resumed on December 11 and December 14, respectively.

He added that buses serving the Zamboanga-Bacolod and Zamboanga-Cebu routes are also making the necessary preparations to resume operation.

Also set to resume operation are buses serving the Zamboanga to Sirawai and Siocon towns in Zamboanga del Norte.

Currently, there are 18 trips, both inbound and outbound, from the city to Pagadian City; 14 inbound and outbound trips to Dipolog City; five inbound and outbound trips to Cagayan de Oro City; and, one outbound and an inbound trip to Olutanga daily.

Under Alert Level 2, the requirements for inbound passengers include vaccination cards for fully-vaccinated individuals; the Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage (S-Pass); and any government-issued identification card (ID).

Inbound passengers who are partially vaccinated are required to present negative swab test results before allowed entry.

Previously, all inbound passengers are required to present negative swab test results, the S-Pass, ID, and a travel order. (PNA)