Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has deplored the closure of a number of major thoroughfares in Metro Manila during the week-long Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that led to the monstrous traffic, which forced many commuters to walk several kilometers to their place of work.
Romualdez said the chaotic traffic situation last Monday and Tuesday were clearly the result of the “failure of communication” between officials of the PNP-Highway Patrol Group and Metro Manila Development Authority on one hand, and the commuting public and motorists.
“Sa totoo lang, kulang talaga komunikasyon. Maski marami silang ginawa ukol dito, kulang pa rin, di masyadong klaro ang mga abiso. Hindi masyadong maayos kaya malaki talaga perwisyo dito. Marami talaga napeperwisyo,” said Romualdez in an interview over Bombo Radyo this week.
Romualdez also scored the government’s lack of compassion to drivers of public utility vehicles as well as their passengers and other motorists who were forced to wait for hours due to heavy traffic compounded by the lack of traffic enforcers in areas where there are gridlocks.
The Leyte lawmaker said that also airport passengers were affected especially the overseas Filipino workers, balikbayans and tourists as flights were canceled.
Romualdez reiterated that the Apec should have been held in Clark or Subic so as not to disrupt work and school in Metro Manila.
“Sana lang kung ginanap na lang ito sa Clark or Subic, nakaraang Apec doon sa Subic ginanap ang Apec, mas smooth pa. Kaya hindi naperwisyo yung dito sa Maynila lalo na yung mga nasa airport. Ang dami nating mga OFW, balikbayan at turista. Kung dun na lang ginanap, eh di naimprove pa yung international airport natin diyan. Pagkatapos ng Apec mapapakinabangan pa natin,” Romualdez said.
However, Romualdez expressed optimism that the P10 billion allocated for Apec will be worth it eventually.
“Sana naman din yung mga sinasabing foreign investment ay pumasok talaga. Yung sinasabi kong foreign direct investment, itong Apec para sa ekonomiya, dapat maipasok naman natin ang ating mga investment sa ibayong dagat para hindi lang tayo lagi ang nag-iimport. Kailangan yung exports natin ay mapalakas nang sa gayon ay gumanda ang ating pakikipagkalakan sa ibang bansa,” Romualdez explained.
Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association, expressed hopes that the issue on West Philippine Sea will be discussed among claimant countries.