The holiday season is here in the Philippines. All Filipinos know what that means: crowded malls, holiday sales, 13th month pay, packed parking lots, and the dreaded holiday traffic. Whether in Metro Manila or in another province, the number of cars has undeniably increased. Although authorities have been trying their best to regulate and instill ordinances that can alleviate traffic, there is still a lot to be done.
Given this situation, Filipinos have adopted ways to avoid hassle situations, wicked traffic, and to keep spirits up for the upcoming holiday season. Here are some:
Finalize your plans
What will you be doing on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve? As early as now, decide on it to start stocking up on the list of things you’d need to fulfill these plans. Remember a wise man named Alan Lakein said, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.”
Shop early
Buy what you can as soon as you have the chance. Malls can get pretty cramped and finding a parking space can be quite a challenge. It is advisable to opt out of that scenario if you can, especially if you are going alone. There are, however, exceptions like fresh ingredients you’d need for food. You can still apply this strategy by heading out to the market earlier than usual. This way, you’d avoid traffic as well as easily find a parking space.
Buy travel fares in advance
It is for sure that there will be a lot of people who’ll be travelling their hometown. If you don’t plan on bringing a car, make sure to purchase your travel tickets immediately. Take the chance to skip the long lines and fare increase due to demand. Worse comes to worst, you may end up delaying your plan of going home.
Travel early or travel late
A 2017 report done by Waze, a GPS navigation software app, showed that those who plan on spending the holiday at their provinces are advised to hit the road early to reach their desired destination or else, change their plans. There are cities that were recorded to have a significant increase in traffic volume like Naga and Angeles. Waze has also concluded that Philippines is one of the countries with the worst holiday traffic.
Make safety a priority
Should you opt to travel by car, safety should be a top priority. Prepare for the drive, however short or long the distance may be. Make sure you and your passengers are comfortable for the whole duration of the trip. It is also highly recommended to have your car checked before you hit the road to avoid any inconveniences. Holidays may mean less shops are open to have your car checked.
The holiday season is a time for families to be together, which is why safety and planning ahead is very important to reduce the risks. The ultimate safety precaution, however, is a car insurance from the Philippines’ leading non-life insurance company – Malayan Insurance. Malayan Automaster is a comprehensive car insurance policy in the Philippines that can help you when in dire need. It also offers a hotline for such instances called CAMILLE (Call Malayan Insurance Live Line) that will be handy for all Malayan Automaster policy holders.
