Big Hugpong rally snarls traffic in Tacloban, draws flak from netizens

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – Local officials here prepared for a big crowd, but the turnout to the joint campaign rally of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), Tingog, and Lakas-CMD, on Tuesday, March 19, far exceeded their expectations.

So huge was the attendance at the Tacloban Astrodome, that the Presidential Security Group made last-minute adjustments, overriding previous traffic arrangements.

City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) Head Brando Bernadas said alternate traffic routes were established by both the Traffic Operation Management Enforcement and Control Office (TOMECO) and the HNP a week before the campaign sortie.

“We had to accommodate the changes on the rerouting requested by the Presidential Security Group (PSG) on the last minute because of some concerns for the safety of the First Lady since there were more people who attended the rally than expected,” Bernadas said. He was referring to the president’s daughter Sara Duterte.

According to the party-list Tingog, around 25,000 attendees consisting of government officials, local candidates, and supporters joined in the event.

Public not informed 

In a Facebook post, TOMECO apologized for the inconvenience: “Pasensya na talaga sa inconvenience at abala sa lahat dahil sa event sa Astrodome ngayon umaga with Mayor Sarah and mga senadors. Ang Presidential security group ang nag set ng traffic route this morning. Wala kami oras to inform the public. Hoping for your kind consideration.”

(We are very sorry for the inconvenience because of the event in Tacloban Astrodome this morning with Mayor Sarah Duterte and the senators. The Presidential Security Group set the traffic route this morning. We don’t have time to inform the public.)  

This statement was later revised into this post: “Pasensya na talaga sa inconvenience at abala sa lahat dahil sa important event sa Astrodome.  (We are very sorry for the inconvenience that this has caused to all because of an important event in Astrodome) Hoping for your kind consideration.”

Commuters were unhappy 

Commuters were unhappy with the delay caused by the heavy traffic and took to social media to express their frustrations. 

 

  

  

 

 

Traffic in Tacloban City due to instant visit of some politicians caused so much inconvenience to the people of Tacloban especially students and workers. Please do it on weekends so not to create so much inconvenience. #traffic #Tacloban #votewisely pic.twitter.com/m3Rg3Esx4x

— Neil Philip Kintana (@NeilKintana) March 19, 2019

Netizens also hoped for an earlier advisory released to the public, alternate routes to avoid the heavy traffic, and better management and preparation for the event. (READ: House approves bill granting emergency powers vs traffic)

 

 

 

 

 – Rappler.com