With Roxas Blvd closed for APEC, commuters forced to walk

MANILA, Philippines – With several roads in Manila already closed for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit this week, many commuters were forced to walk several kilometers just to get to work on Monday, November 16.

Commuters coming from Cavite were either stuck in heavy traffic for several hours or left with no choice but to walk along Coastal Road because of the closure of Roxas Boulevard in Manila. 

Aggravating the situation was yet another technical glitch that hit the Metro Rail Transit (MRT3) during the early morning rush hour.

Frustrated commuters aired their sentiments on social media, with many saying work should have been suspended to save them wasted hours on the road.

Only November 18 and 19 have been declared non-working days for the private sector. Government workers and students will have no work and classes from November 17 to 20. 

People decide to walk na lang along coastal road due to heavy traffic caused by APEC. I’m stuck here as well for almost 2 hours already.

— Yesh (@yes_withanh) November 16, 2015

people from the South have to go through a 10-km stretch walk under the excruciating heat of the sun. that’s not how you prepare for APEC.

— sophia (@sophia_rei) November 16, 2015

Sana ginawang holiday nalang ang buong week ng APEC Summit hanggang cavite umaabot na ang traffic kalola ang gulo ng pilipinas.#APECFailure

— rhafael Lobrin (@iamrhafael02) November 16, 2015

In an advisory, the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) management advised northbound motorists to take Marina Left Turn (Pacific Drive) during APEC week.

– Rappler.com