Palace on worsening traffic: Be patient, we are working on it

Braving the Manila traffic situation (Photo courtesy of PanoBaMagBlog on WordPress)

MANILA — Malacañang on Wednesday apologized for the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila brought about by heavy rains, drainage system improvements, and road repairs.

“Siguro maraming kailangang gawin sa kalye. Siguro nagkakataon lang ‘yan nagkakasabay-sabay at humihingi kami ng paumanhin sa publiko.

Marami tayong mga kalyeng inaayos po.

Marami tayong mga drainage na inaayos rin po,” said Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda during the daily press briefing at the Palace.

“Sumasabay din minsan ang pag-aayos ng MWSS, or Maynilad, or ng Manila Water. We are improving the quality of the roads, so maraming mga bagay na talagang kailangan gawin, and ‘yon din po talaga ang nakaka-frustrate sa tao, sa traffic, kasi lahat tayo dumadaan naman sa kalye and so, we ask for patience, but these things have to be done,” he added.

He said that all these works would result in improved drainage systems and better roads, and hence, better flow of traffic.

Last July, the Metro Manila Development Authority identified 22 flood-prone areas in Metro Manila that the public should avoid, particularly during rush hours and heavy rains.

They include España-Antipolo-Maceda, R. Papa-Rizal Avenue, P. Burgos-Manila City Hall in Manila; the Osmeña-Skyway northbound and southbound, Buendia-South Superhighway northbound and southbound, and EDSA-Pasong Tamo-Magallanes in Makati; EDSA-North Avenue, North Avenue in front of Trinoma Mall, NLEX-Balintawak, Quezon Avenue-Victory Avenue/Biak na Bato, and Philcoa area in Quezon City.