MMDA: Tuesday’s chaotic traffic due to ‘lots of things’

The head of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) blamed the floods and monstrous traffic jam on Tuesday night on several things, including the 76 ongoing drainage projects of the Department of

Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said traffic was extremely heavy on Tuesday night because the heavy rains fell during rush hour.

“It’s not something that we can easily prevent. There was flooding and naturally, people will be stuck in traffic,” he added.

Several motorists used social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to complain about being caught in the snail-paced traffic flow.

Celebrities took the MRT

Even celebrities like Rhian Ramos, Kris Aquino and Manny Pacquiao were stuck on Edsa, prompting Aquino and Pacquiao to ride on the Metro Rail Transit just to get to their destinations on time.

“A lot of things happened that day. There was an accident in a tunnel on the northbound lane of Edsa, an uprooted tree blocked the road at Commonwealth-Fairview while there were areas with zero visibility because of the rains,” Tolentino said.

Several waterways, particularly Talayan Creek near the intersection of Araneta Avenue and E. Rodriguez also overflowed, causing flooding, which further slowed down vehicular flow.

“The floods soon subsided but only after stalling traffic,” Tolentino said.

He also blamed the “ongoing drainage works” of the DPWH for Tuesday night’s chaotic traffic situation.