Palace seeks understanding over Tuesday night traffic mess

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Wednesday asked understanding from the public following the massive traffic jams in Metro Manila last night.

"We understand the plight of many who were stranded and delayed considerably in reaching their homes and destinations and we seek their kind understanding," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.

Heavy downpour flooded various roads in Metro Manila last night, leaving hundreds of motorists and commuters stranded.

For several hours, people were stuck in major thoroughfares such as EDSA, C-5, Osmena Highway, Elliptical Road, Commonwealth, Katipunan and Taft Avenue, among others.

Coloma admitted that the heavy rainfall and the subsequent flooding affected the traffic management.

"Government's efforts to improve traffic flow along EDSA and major thoroughfares were greatly hindered last night by heavy rains and flash floods that were experienced during the rush hour of homeward-bound commuting," Coloma said.

"These slowed down the movement of vehicles and resulted in gridlock in flooded areas with stalled vehicles," he added.

Coloma said that according to Secretary Rogelio Singson, the Department of Public Works and Highways is working on clearing and expanding the holding capacity of drainage systems.

Coloma also said that according to Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Director Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao, HPG personnel diverted traffic on flooded streets to alternative routes.

The Palace official added that Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino deployed traffic enforcers even past midnight to assist in normalizing the traffic flow.

Coloma claimed that it was only past 11 p.m. when the flash floods subsided and normal flow of vehicles resumed.

Earlier, Cabinet Secretary Jose Almendras said the new traffic management scheme on EDSA has been "effective" despite last night's congestion.