President Bongbong Marcos said that he tries not to cause traffic whenever he needs to move from one place to another which would inconvenience the riding public.
In an exclusive interview with GMA News, Marcos said that his administration is working on ways to ease the traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
“You cannot avoid traffic kahit na may helicopter ka. If you’re also just within the city, you don’t take the helicopter. And the other thing I try to avoid is to cause traffic,” said Marcos.
“Nakakahiya nga kung minsan eh. Kasi when I go… everybody has to stop,’ he added.
The President said that there are days when he needs to maximize his time and it would be very difficult to accomplish some of his tasks due to traffic.
”I try not to cause traffic and then of course yes I try to maximize my time,” Marcos said.
The chief executive still hopes that there will be an efficient transport system and the Pasig River ferry system will be utilized.
In a separate interview, Marcos also dismissed comments over his use of the presidential chopper while the rest of concertgoers endured the traffic gridlock.
“Perhaps by now, you know that I am really a music lover. I have been for a long time,” said Marcos.
The chief executive said that he had studied music for years and that the band’s concert was ‘unmissable’.
“It was great. You can ask anybody who attended the concert. It’s different from the previous concerts we used to attend,” the president said.
The Presidential Security Group (PSG) issued a statement confirming that President Bongbong Marcos and his family indeed used the presidential chopper during the Coldplay concert at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
Netizens were quick to spot the arrival of the chopper and as they shared their frustrations in enduring the horrendous traffic to the concert venue.
Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander Jesus Nelson Morales said that the unforeseen traffic complications could pose a security threat to the President.
“Yesterday, the Philippine Arena experienced an unprecedented influx of 40,000 individuals eagerly attending a concert, resulting in unforeseen traffic complications along the route,” Morales said.
“Recognizing that this traffic situation posed a potential threat to the security of our President, the PSG took decisive action by opting for the presidential chopper,” he added.
Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos were spotted during the British rock band’s concert on Friday.
The band’s lead vocalist Chris Martin also acknowledged the traffic problem during their concert.
“We’ve seen some traffic, but I think you have the number one in the world,” Martin said. “So thank you for making the effort to come through all of that bull**** to be here,” he said.
Netizens shared the clip of the chopper in the helicopter landing area.
“The same Marcos who pushes for the phaseout of jeepneys in the guise of environmentalism, rides a helicopter to a concert! The same Marcos who will massacre informal transport workers’ jobs by Feb 1!” said Piston in a tweet.
