Manila traffic worsens with roads closed for summit

MANILA: Large parts of this city have been paralysed as traffic was brought to a standstill because Philippine authorities closed a number of key thoroughfares for the arrival of world leaders.

Commuters vented their anger on social media as tens of thousands got stuck in a sea of vehicles along major roads in Metro Manila. This happened despite the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority warning about heavy traffic on major roads.

Key roads were closed to allow convoys carrying world leaders to pass through without being caught in Manila’s infamous traffic jams.

Journalist, Arlene Burgos said she was stuck for more than three hours trying to get from her home in Quezon City to Metro Manila.

“Even in the worst traffic, my commute should take me two hours tops, but this was crazy.

“I gave up eventually, and told my dinner date to meet me halfway,” she said.

The situation was particularly chaotic at the Ermita District, where protesters pushed back anti-riot police officers as they tried to march towards the US Embassy. The protest rally against President Donald Trump’s visit caused further traffic chaos in the area.

But as Trump and the other world leaders as well as thousands of officials and media members arrive for the 31st Asean Summit, they would not have failed to notice that Christmas is already in the air in Manila.

Yes, it’s certainly starting to look like Christmas as Christmas trees can be seen in hotels, public squares and malls and popular Christmas carols are played non-stop in public areas.