Facing severe traffic congestion, Metro Manila remains one of the most congested capital cities in Southeast Asia, according to Ookla Research. It used to have the dubious distictinction of ranking first globally, with an average travel time of 25 minutes and 30 seconds per 10 kilometers, based on the 2023 TomTom Traffic Index.
Last year, it progressed to No. 15, Ookla Research said in its study, “Easter Holiday Commute Highlights Progress and Gaps in MM Expressway Connectivity” dated May 20, 2025.
To ease mobility challenges, authorities have expanded the expressway network across and around the metro area, the study said. As these road corridors grow in importance, reliable mobile connectivity has become essential for navigation, communication, and access to digital services while on the move.
Ookla said its study examined mobile network performance along major expressways during the peak Easter holiday weekend to assess how well current infrastructure supports user demand in real-world conditions.
The growing reliance on expressways for daily travel across Manila and its surrounding areas highlights the critical need for strong mobile connectivity along these major corridors.
Reliable mobile access supports navigation, communication, ride-hailing, and emergency services. Coverage gaps or network interruptions can disrupt travel experiences and impact road efficiency.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), under its High Standard Highway Network Development Plan, has introduced policies to accelerate the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure along expressways.
Using Ookla’s coverage scans data across all mobile network operators, the study analyzed mobile performance and quality of experience along 12 key expressways across Metro Manila during the Easter holiday (April 18th to 20th) weekend. The selected expressways include:
· C-5 Expressway
· CAVITEX-C-5 South Link Expressway
· CAVITEX-Parañaque
· Manila-Taguig Expressway
· Metro Manila Skyway
· NAIA Expressway
· NLEX-CAITEX Port Expressway
· NLEX-Harbor Link
· NLEX-McArthur Highway Link
· NLEX-Mindanao Ave Link
· NLEX-SLEX Connector
· South Metro Manila Skyway.
These expressways form the core of Metro Manila’s Road network, connecting major residential, commercial, and industrial areas. They link key cities such as Quezon City, Manila, Taguig, Paranaque, Pasay, and Makati, while extending to neighboring provinces like Bulacan and Cavite.
They serve high volumes of daily commuters and provide critical access to airports, seaports, business districts, and suburban developments.
Peak mobile usage
Using data from Speedtest background samples, the study combined hourly sample counts from all mobile operators over the three days to smooth out irregularities and highlight consistent usage patterns. The chart shows the total number of Speedtest samples collected per hour across 12 major Metro Manila expressways during April 18 to 20, 2025 (Easter weekend).
The data reveals a clear daily pattern: sample volumes were lowest between 00:00 and 05:00, began rising mid-morning, and peaked between 14:00 and 19:00. This reflects typical daytime travel behavior during a long holiday period, where road activity intensifies as people travel for leisure, family gatherings, and regional trips.
C-5 Expressway, Metro Manila Skyway, and South Metro Manila Skyway recorded the highest sample volumes during peak times. These routes connect key residential and commercial areas across the capital and serve as primary arteries for southbound travel. In contrast, routes such as NLEX-Harbor Link and NLEX-McArthur Highway Link recorded lower sample volumes, indicating either lighter traffic flow or lower available samples.
The spike in usage along major southern routes reflects a well-established trend during Holy Week in the Philippines, with heavy outbound travel toward provinces like Batangas and Laguna. This year, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reinforced expectations of increased traffic by announcing a comprehensive traffic management plan for the 2025 Holy Week, including deployment of additional personnel, traffic rerouting schemes, and coordination with toll operators to ease congestion. The observation aligns with past advisories from the MMDA, the Department of Transportation, and local news reports, all highlighting recurring congestion on southern expressways during this period.
