CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela — A monstrous traffic jam inconvenienced motorists traveling a portion of the national roads that were rerouted to accommodate the participants of the UniTeam’s rally for Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio at the Isabela Sports Complex on Sunday, Labor Day.
The Alibagu-Baligatan area of the national road was closed to motorists in Ilagan City.
Northbound cars from Santiago were ordered to take the Mabini Rotonda and the Santiago-Tuguegarao road to avoid the heavy traffic along Ilagan.
An alternate route also runs along Gamu-Ilagan road and to the unfinished Ilagan bypass road, then vehicles can exit along Bliss Ilagan and go left for city center-bound cars or go right for Tuguegarao-bound cars.
Other cars may take the Upi Junction to Gamu-Roxas road and take the Buenavista-Lullutan road.
Southbound cars were led to the Cabagan-Santa Maria road where they can cross the bridge and take the Santiago-Tuguegarao road if they are Santiago City-bound or take the Gamu-Roxas road.
Barangay-owned vehicles?
Some barangay-owned vehicles from different towns and cities in Isabela were also spotted carrying residents who wore UniTeam shirts and ferrying them to the sports complex where the rally for Marcos and Duterte will be held.
The Department of Interior and Local Government has earlier warned barangay officials against using government resources in campaign and election-related events.
Drivers and village officials refused to talk when approached for interviews. Local officials have yet to respond regarding the issue.
Eva Abenojar, one of the spectators, said her daughter lost her bag with money and mobile phone. She pleaded that her mobile phone be returned, even without the money.
READ: Albanos, Dys of Isabela endorse Bongbong-Sara tandem