‘Pyrolympics’ stalls traffic

Motorists and commuters cursed as they endured a five-hour traffic jam that stretched from Roxas Blvd. from Bonifacio Circle in Port Area, Manila up to Baclaran in Parañaque City which was caused by the staging of the World Pyrolympics at the reclamation area in Pasay City last Friday night.

The traffic even reached Taft Avenue as private vehicles and trucks made detours to get out of Roxas Blvd. and reach their destinations.

Some complained that a portion of the southbound lane of Roxas Blvd. near Vito Cruz St. in Pasay was turned into a huge parking lot by people who paid and watched the World Pyrolympics that was held near SM Mall of Asia.

Senior Superintendent Elmer Jamias, chief of the Western District Traffic Office, said the traffic build-up originated at the intersection of EDSA and Roxas Blvd. that stretched up to Manila.

"We were caught by surprise since the Pasay City traffic office did not furnish us their traffic plan for the big event," he told The STAR in a telephone interview.

Jamias said the usual large Friday promenaders at the Baywalk area also contributed to the traffic build-up.

He said he will coordinate with the Pyrolympics organizers and the Pasay City traffic office to prevent another traffic jam. – Nestor Etolle