EDSA closure snarls traffic

MANILA, Philippines - The closure of the northbound lane of EDSA, from Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong to Boni Serrano street in Quezon City, for the celebration of the 29th anniversary of the 1986 people power revolution caused massive traffic jams in some parts of the metropolis yesterday.

Commuters, mostly office workers, were stranded as early as 6 a.m. after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) closed the northbound lane of EDSA.

Motorists complained that it took them several hours to reach their destination because the alternate routes were also clogged.  

Angry netizens hit the Aquino government, particularly the MMDA for not fielding enough traffic enforcers in the affected areas.

The MMDA deployed three military trucks to transport stranded passengers from Cubao, Quezon City to Ortigas Avenue in Mandaluyong.

Marc Domingo, a call center agent, said he had to walk several kilometers just to reach his house.  

Journalist Bing Formento said it took him more than four hours to reach Camp Aguinaldo from Market Market in Taguig.

The alternate routes set by the MMDA were clogged with vehicles, which  affected motorists in Makati and Pasay cities.

Commuters said the government should have declared Feb. 25 a special non-working holiday for both schools and offices.

Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office chief Carmelo Valmoria said the commemoration of the EDSA people power revolt was generally peaceful.– With Robertzon Ramirez