Arrival of APEC leaders triggers heavy traffic

MANILA, Philippines - As the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) formally started Tuesday, motorists and commuters once again found themselves trapped in heavy traffic on EDSA.

At 11:20 a.m., several roads were suddenly closed prior to the arrival of United States President Barack Obama.

Closed were: EDSA-Buendia (southbound), Skyway from Nichols/Sales to Magallanes (both directions), MIA/NAIA Road (both directions), approaching EDSA-Magallanes split (both directions), Ayala Tunnel (both directions), whole stretch of Magallanes Interchange (both directions), Airport Road (both directions), Domestic Road (both directions), and Quirino Avenue (both directions).

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According to the Metrobase of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the closed roads will remain closed until further notice.

The Metrobase said southbound motorists affected by the sudden road closure of the Ayala Tunnel were diverted to Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia)

Meanwhile, earlier at 10:00 a.m., motorists at the Katipunan area along C5 (both sides) found themselves stuck in a 30-minute “stop and go” traffic stop as President Michelle Bachelet arrived at the Miriam College to attend the National Women’s Summit.

During a “stop and go” traffic stop, motorists will be stopped for 20 minutes prior to the passing of the convoy of an APEC dignitary and another 10 minutes after the convoy had passed.

Motorists again were again stopped for 30 minutes at Kaipunan along C5 as Bachelet left the Miriam College campus at 1:14 p.m.