Apec security officials apologize to motorists for inconvenience

The task force in charge of managing vehicular traffic during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit has apologized for the inconvenience the rerouting schemes and security measures have caused the public.

However, the Apec Security Task Force also said the public would continue to experience traffic congestion on some major roads in Metro Manila despite complaints from commuters and motorists.

“In behalf of the Apec 2015 security and organizers, kami po ay humihingi ng paumanhin at paunawa sa abalang nararanasan ng publiko,” said Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, spokesperson of the task force composed of 20 different agencies.

Since world leaders and foreign delegates started arriving in the country on Monday, thousands of commuters were forced to walk to their offices mostly based in the cities of Makati, Pasay and Manila.

Netizens have criticized the administration for turning them into “second-class citizens in their own country” during the meeting of the economic leaders.

On Tuesday, more than 10 heads of state from 21 member-economies arrived in Manila. As the leaders were transported from the airport to their billeting areas, a total lockdown was implemented in roads where the convoy of the leaders would pass through.

Highway Patrol Group head Chief Supt. Arnold Gunnacao has said as long as the foreign leaders are in the country, Metro Manila residents will have to endure longer hours on the road as traffic jams are expected until Friday.

Gunnacao said there would be no changes in the plan and some roads would still be closed to traffic whenever delegates were passing through.

“There will be no changes in the traffic plan. From Monday to Friday, you expect this kind of traffic whether konti or marami ang mga sasakayan,” said Gunnacao.

Meanwhile, Mayor pointed out that the government had warned the public to expect inconvenience due to road closures weeks before the event.

“We’ve been telling the public about this before the event. They should have expected that there would be heavy traffic in areas near the Apec venues,” he said. RC