All roads lead to the provinces starting this Friday as city dwellers make their traditional trek to visit the tombs of their departed loved ones for the All Saints’ Day and All Souls' Day holidays this weekend.

This as the state weather bureau advised would-be travelers to expect foul weather on the road as typhoon “Santi” is expected to make landfall in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon on Saturday, making it a possible long, stormy weekend. The government has declared Monday a non-working holiday.

Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza said a strict implementation of safety and security measures in all airports, seaports and bus terminals will be in full effect from today up to November 3 as part of the government’s “Oplan Kaluluwa” program to assist travelers.

Authorities expect traffic to start building up on the expressways starting this afternoon (Friday) as motorists take advantage of the long weekend, after November 2, All Souls’ Day, was declared a non-working holiday by President Arroyo.

The Tollways Management Corporation (TMC), operator of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), said it is expecting increased traffic volume (northbound) of about 12 percent starting this afternoon and may extend until 2 p.m. of Saturday.

From a daily average of 150,000 vehicles taking the NLEX, the number is expected to grow by 10,000 during the period, according to TMC Vice President for Traffic Operations Nick Manalo.

From 2,000 to 3,000 motorists per hour on ordinary days, 4,000 vehicles per hour are expected along the NLEX during the period, Manalo said.

TMC said it also expects a 10 percent increase in traffic volume in the other toll roads it is operating, the Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

Heavy traffic could be expected in the lateral national and provincial roads especially those near cemeteries, authorities said.

Lia Mañalac, media relations specialist of TMC, said they have prepared sufficient patrol vehicles, motorcycle riders and four lane management teams to assist motorists while traversing the expressways going to the northern part of the Philippines.

The same scenario is expected at the South Luzon Expressway for motorists going to the south, where heavier traffic is expected due to the current rehabilitation of the SLEX and the extension of the Skyway system up to Alabang in Muntinlupa City.

Passengers are also expected to troop to terminals of provincial buses in Metro Manila starting tonight as provincial bus operators said they still expect the annual exodus to the provinces despite the catastrophe faced by Metro Manila residents recently.

“First of all it is a tradition observed every year to remember our departed loved ones. Secondly, Nov. 2 has been declared a holiday so we will have a long weekend. So we expect na madaming mag-uuwian sa probinsya,” said Homer Mercado, President of the Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines.

To prepare for the exodus, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has permitted 145 Metro Manila public utility buses as of Wednesday afternoon to make provincial trips to augment the insufficient number of provincial buses.

Daisy Jacobo, chief of the Traffic Safety Division of the Land Transportation Office, said LTO law enforcers will be more "on assistance mode" this weekend, focusing on assisting motorists going to their destinations safely.

Jacobo said LTO enforcers will only be on the lookout for traffic violations that endanger the safety of motorists such as overtaking on the shoulders.

Meanwhile, Mendoza appealed to the public to allot enough time for security checks and to be patient with security officers who would check their baggage.

Travelers are also reminded to avoid bringing sharp objects, firearms and ammunitions as well as aerosol sprays to avoid delays in their trips.

The public may call the DOTC Action Center Hotline 7890 through landline for reports of transportation related queries and complaints.

For her part, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Ma. Elena Bautista said that even if it is a peak season, they would have to bar ships from sailing if typhoon “Santi” continues to threaten the country.

“Safety first. If there is a typhoon, even if it is a peak season, no ship will be allowed to set sail,” Bautista said in a text message to the Manila Bulletin.

MARINA regulation bars sea vessels with a gross tonnage of 1,000 below from sailing on typhoon Signal No. 1. Once Signal No. 2 is hoisted, no vessel of any type is allowed to sail except to take shelter, without any passenger.

In June 21 last year, more than 800 passengers and crew of the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars perished after the passenger ship capsized off Sibuyan Island in Romblon when it sailed right through the eye of typhoon “Frank.”