This is the chaotic moment passengers scrambled to squeeze into an already overcrowded bus during the morning rush hour.

Footage shows commuters climbing over each other in a bid to secure a ride to work in Batangas province in the Philippines.

Despite being packed to capacity, the vehicle continued to take onboard more people, many of them desperate not to arrive late to work.

The conductor was forced to scale the handrails to get inside and navigate through the cramped interior on May 21.

Onlooker RM Anciado said: 'That only happens once in a while before, but since after the Holy Week, it became harder to get a bus. I hope it gets better soon.'

Transport infrastructure in the Philippines faces major issues due to the lack of investment over several decades.

The archipelago was once one of one of the most advanced economies in Asia, thanks to Spanish settlers and later American funding and development. But former dictator Ferdinand Marcos triggered the decline in the 1960s, stealing up to 10 billion USD from state coffers in a reign known for excessive corruption and cronyism.

His wife, Imelda - best known for her sprawling designer shoe collection - still wields influence through her son Bongbong Marcos, who was elected president in 2022.