2020 • 12 • 1

The pandemic has swiftly changed the way we travel. We are left with no choice but to adjust and keep up with the changing times, with the new normal. Now that the holiday season is nearing, some of those who’ve been separated from their loved ones for too long because of the pandemic yearn to finally reunite with their families this Christmas and New Year.

One by one, local governments are lifting travel restrictions, but not without implementing the general protocols and requirements issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to ensure public health and safety. Many public utility vehicle routes are now viable but still under strict regulations. Provincial buses traveling to and from Manila are still limited, but a number of routes have been opened already, mostly in Visayas.

In accordance with LTFRB’s Memorandum Circular No. 2020-051, the Santa Rosa Integrated Terminal (SRIT) in Laguna shall serve authorized provincial buses going to Visayas and Mindanao from NCR and vice versa. For those traveling to Visayas or Mindanao by provincial bus, you need to go to Santa Rosa in Laguna first.

Where Exactly is Santa Rosa Integrated Terminal (SRIT)

The first thing you need to know is that the Santa Rosa Integrated Terminal (SRIT) lies next to SM Santa Rosa.

With SM Santa Rosa as your landmark, the provincial bus hub is not difficult to find. The location of Santa Rosa Integrated Terminal used to be the mall’s parking lot.

Here’s the complete address: SM City Santa Rosa, National Highway, Tagapo, Santa Rosa, Laguna.

How to Get to Santa Rosa (SRIT)

SM Mall of Asia / NAIA to Santa Rosa

P2P bus company UBE Express plies the route between SM MOA and Robinsons Santa Rosa via NAIA. Robinsons Santa Rosa is located about 1.5 kilometers from SM Santa Rosa.

1. Board UBE Express bound for Robinsons Santa Rosa.
2. From Robinsons Santa Rosa, take the jeepney to SM Santa Rosa. The travel time is more or less five minutes.

Reminders:

• As mandated by the government for safer travels, you need to register online for the passenger manifest before boarding the UBE Express bus. Upon registration, you will receive a QR code via email. Present the QR code to the driver. Register here: UBE Express Passengers Request QR Code Form.
• No QR code, no ride.
• UBE Express is implementing a cashless transaction thru beep. Alternatively, you can purchase your ticket in advance by booking online. Payment is either via PayMaya or PayPal. Book your ticket here: UBE Express Online Ticket.

Ayala to Santa Rosa

1. Jac Liner has buses running the route between Ayala and Biñan, the city before Santa Rosa (if coming from Metro Manila).
2. From Ayala, board the Jac Liner bus bound for Biñan. The travel time is 1.5-2 hours, depending on the traffic condition.
3. From Biñan, take a jeepney going to SM Santa Rosa or Balibago Complex. Tell the driver that you will get off at SM Santa Rosa. It’s on the right-hand side of the road.

PITx to Santa Rosa

1. From Manila, get on a bus bound for Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITx). This is the hub for provincial buses bound for Southern Tagalog Regions (Regions IV-A and IV-B).
2. Alight at PITx. Get on a bus to Calamba City.
3. From Calamba City, take a jeepney to SM Santa Rosa.

Update: We messaged the PITX Facebook page to check if there are buses bound for Santa Rosa from PITX and they replied: “YES, meron na po tayong byahe papuntang Sta Rosa mula 10AM to 5PM.”

Alabang to Santa Rosa

1. From Manila, get on a city bus to Alabang.
2. From Alabang, either Star Mall Alabang (also called Metropolis Mall) or South Station, get on a jeepney or bus to Santa Rosa. Confirm with the driver if his route covers SM Santa Rosa.

Available Routes to/from SRIT

As of writing, here are the routes served by SRIT according to LTFRB’s Memorandum Circular No. 2020-051-B and No. 2020-051-C:

Region 8: Eastern Visayas

• Ormoc City, Leyte – Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal, Laguna
• Palompon, Leyte – Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal, Laguna
• Tacloban City, Leyte – Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal, Laguna
• Maasin City, Southern Leyte – Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal, Laguna
• Catarman, Northern Samar – Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal, Laguna
• Laoang, Northern Samar – Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal, Laguna

Memorandum Circular No. 2020-051-B
October 30, 2020

Region VI: Western Visayas

• Kalibo, Aklan – Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal, Laguna
• Malay, Aklan – Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal, Laguna
• San Jose, Antique – Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal, Laguna
• Roxas City, Capiz – Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal, Laguna
• Estancia, Iloilo – Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal, Laguna
• Iloilo City, Iloilo – Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal, Laguna
• Miag-ao, Iloilo – Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal, Laguna

Memorandum Circular No. 2020-051-C
November 16, 2020

READ: PROVINCIAL BUS TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS!

Important Reminders

The LTFRB is implementing these “7 commandments” in all public transportation based on the recommendation of health experts:

1. Wearing a mask and a face shield is mandatory.
2. Talking/speaking on the phone is not permitted.
3. Eating inside the bus is prohibited.
4. Proper ventilation in PUVs must be maintained.
5. Disinfection should be done regularly.
6. Passengers exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 are not permitted to board the bus.
7. Proper physical distancing (“one-seat apart” rule) must always be observed.
8. Unless mandated or announced by the LTFRB, there is no increase in fares on provincial buses.

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