Commuters bond after floods put Manila traffic to hours-long standstill

The heavy rains of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) caused widespread flooding across several areas in Manila on Monday, stalling many vehicles on the road, including a modern jeepney whose passengers have bonded after being stuck for hours.

In a “24 Oras” report by Ivan Mayrina, one passenger shared that the severe travel delay caught them completely off guard, stretching their commute well past lunchtime.

“Inabot na kami ng pananghalian (We were still stuck on the road by lunchtime),” he said.

“Opo, close na. Close na close. Para na kaming magkakapatid tuloy,” he added lightheartedly, flashing a thumbs-up sign.

(Yes, we're very close now—really close. It feels like we've become siblings.)

By around 2:00 p.m.—hours ahead of the evening rush—traffic had ground to a complete stop at the corner of Cayco Street and España Boulevard, right in front of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) campus.

Several vehicles were stranded for hours. Some motorcyclists mounted the center island hoping to avoid the flood, only for the rising water to catch up with them after several minutes.

“Kung sa gitna ka dadaan, alanganin kasi hanggang bewang na. ‘Di na rin kaya,” a motorist said.

(Driving through the middle was too risky because the water was already waist-deep. The motorcycle just couldn't make it.)

“Lumangoy na ‘yung motor ko, sir. Ayaw na. Oo, tirik na, sir. Kaya tiis na lang sir,” another motorist said.

(My motorcycle was practically swimming, sir. It stalled and won't start anymore, so now we just have to endure it.)

Only large vehicles managed to pass through certain sections of España, and even then, only a brave few attempted it.

After 3:00 p.m., crowds of people sought shelter on the overpass near Cayco Street, waiting for the water levels to drop. Meanwhile, several students braved the floodwaters on foot, some of whom still faced a long commute back to Quezon City.

“Sobrang aberya po. Hinihintay po kasi namin ‘yung [class] suspension ni [Mayor] Isko [Moreno]—ang suspension niya lang po [elementary] to senior high school lang po tapos hindi po nila sinama yung college,” one stranded student said.

(It’s a massive inconvenience. We were waiting for Mayor Isko’s class suspension announcement, but it only covered elementary to senior high school, leaving college students out.)

“Mahirap kasi ang lalim po ng baha sa dinadaanan namin eh,” another student shared.

(It’s really tough because the flood is so deep along our route.)

Aside from commuters, several drivers chose not to risk navigating the submerged streets, citing their personal safety and their concern for their vehicles.

“Ayaw, ayaw. Mahirap na, safety na. Baka magalit yung boss natin,” a driver said.

(I'm not risking it. Safety comes first—plus, my boss might get angry.)

“Hindi pwede [ilusong], baka masira po ang makina,” another driver said.

(We can't drive through; the engine might get damaged.)

A local entrepreneur who sells home-cooked meals online was also unable to fulfill deliveries due to the flooding.

“Nag-o-online lang po ako ng ulam, e matumal ngayon… nagde-deliver po, hindi kami makabyahe, ayan po kaya walang kita,” she said.

(I sell meals online, but business is down today... we usually deliver, but we can't ply the roads right now, so we have zero earnings.)

Along Taft Avenue, adjacent roads including T.M. Kalaw Avenue and Maria Orosa Street were also submerged, leaving scores of commuters stranded.

“Sobrang hirap po sa amin na ganito pumapasok po sa araw-araw,” a commuter said.

(It's incredibly exhausting dealing with conditions like this during our daily commute.)

To cross the flooded stretches, several commuters turned to pedicabs (padyak), whose operators were charging P20 per passenger.

“Baha po kasi sobrang taas po ng baha dito sa Taft,” a passenger said.

(The flooding here along Taft is just really high.)

Hospital not spared

Patients were also put at risk at a hospital along Cayco Street when floodwaters seeped into the building. The rising water forced staff to haul critical equipment and essential items up to the second floor.

The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) along Taft Avenue was similarly hit by flooding. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/RF, GMA News