Apec empties Edsa, fills up MRT stations

An empty Edsa and a crowded MRT station in Magallanes show how the Filipino working class is paying a price for the PH hosting Apec. CENON BIBE/INQUIRER.net

Commuters swamped at least two MRT stations in Pasay and Makati Wednesday afternoon after government officials banned private and public vehicles on Edsa from Ayala Avenue to Roxas Boulevard due to the Apec summit.

The absence of private and public transportation left that stretch of Edsa empty, with only security personnel dotting the usually jammed thoroughfare.

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Officials kept Edsa clear to allow Apec delegates a fast and comfortable ride to and from summit venues in the Makati Central Business District and in Pasay City.

“Walang masakyan. Ito lang (MRT),” said Mario, a 48-year-old Makati employee, who usually took the bus home to Quezon City.

He said the MRT station in Magallanes was usually not so busy at mid-afternoon, even on weekdays.

However, at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, at least three lines of commuters already snaked down from the station entrance on the third level to the ground level on Edsa. Another line of commuters stretched into the adjacent Alphaland mall.

READ: APEC security task force launches hotlines; apologizes for traffic jams

A MRT security officer confirmed Mario’s observation.

Asked for his thoughts, Mario said, “Sabi nila para sa ekonomiya ‘yang Apec. ‘Pag ganito naman ay hindi mo maramdaman yung sinasabi nila.

“Parang tayo pa ang agrabyado eh,” he added. -Cenon Bibe