4 QC streets closed; trike drivers grumble

MANILA, Philippines–“A nuisance.”

That’s how tricycle drivers plying the streets around the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City, described the closure of four streets in the area, as part of security arrangements for VIPs attending the wedding of actor-celebrities Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera on Tuesday.

President Aquino was among the guests at the nuptials of the show-biz couple, also billed the “DongYan” wedding.

“We have no problems with (Dingdong and Marian) getting married. We’re happy for them. But the streets didn’t need to be closed. It’s OA [overacting],” grumbled tricycle driver Ruben Lagrimas, who mostly plies the Banahaw-Arayat-Pinatubo streets route near the cathedral.

Starting 11 a.m. on Tuesday, the Quezon City police closed the whole stretch of Vancouver Street, from E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue to Boston Street; Boston Street from the corner of Aurora Boulevard to the corner of Lantana; the stretch of Rosario Drive coming from E. Rodriguez Avenue to the corner of Lantana, and the whole stretch of Seattle Street from the corner of Vancouver to the corner of Aurora Boulevard.

The closure was expected to last until 6 p.m.

Would-be passengers who approached the tricycle terminal at the corner of Aurora Boulevard and Betty Go-Belmonte Street were instead advised to walk around the closed streets to get anywhere near the church.

“See? It’s like that now. It’s a nuisance,” Lagrimas complained. He and other tricycle drivers had to take a longer route to get around Barangay (village) Immaculate Conception, he added.

Lagrimas said they were informed of the closure only the day before the wedding, the first time streets in the area were closed to the public.

He groused that while vendors around the church were paid to suspend their trade for the day, no such courtesy was extended to tricycle drivers.

Jeepney drivers unaffected

Jeepney drivers simply shrugged off the event, saying the event had not caused any problem for them, and even made for less traffic.

“They only closed the inner streets, which aren’t usual jeepney routes. It’s only the tricycle drivers who were really affected,” said driver Danilo Blanca who plies the Aurora Boulevard route.

In the end, however, the tricycle drivers chose to hold their peace. “It’s just for one day, anyway,” said Lagrimas begrudgingly.

“It’s not every day they get married,” he added.