Government panel to discuss 'planking' zones

MANILA, Philippines - The government will discuss the possibility of designating “planking zones” to avoid demonstrators from disrupting traffic during their protest actions, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino said yesterday.

When the Presidential Task Force on Transport Strike and Mass Actions convenes today, “we will discuss the proposal and see where we can designate planking zones,” he said in a radio interview.

He said they might place these zones in freedom parks.

Planking involves lying face down, arms against the sides of the body. Over the past two weeks, protesters planked in the middle of the street to air their opposition to budget cuts for state universities and oil price increases. They disrupted traffic in Metro Manila, prompting police to warn them that they may be arrested if they repeat the stunt.

Recently, Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo filed a proposed bill to ban planking as a means to air grievances.