Despite the extended enhanced community quarantine in Luzon until April 30, 2020, politicians and celebrities were shocked by the increasing number of vehicles on EDSA despite the lockdown.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and actor Jason Abalos were surprised to see the number of private vehicles along EDSA while Broadcast Journalist Karen Davila stated that maybe these people are just trying to get out of their home to keep their sanity.
Is it me or ang daming tao na sa kalsada ngayon?
— Sherwin Gatchalian (@stgatchalian) April 15, 2020
But, former Senator JV Ejercito revealed that the heavy traffic started occurring last Monday.
— jason abalos (@thejasonabalos) April 15, 2020
Meanwhile, Teddy Locsin Jr. shared another video of streets jampacked with cars and people shopping in the wet market. He said the situation is unbecoming and teased that the public to extend the community lockdown until 2029, since people still violate the President’s advice to stay at home.
The situation in EDSA is becoming alarming but given the fact that some of the vehicles along the road are for essential travel purposes, Sen. JV thinks that April 30 deadline to flatten the curve will not be possible. JV believes if the lockdown extends to another one month or so, it would be totally unfair for other Filipinos who adhere to the policy of the ECQ by staying home.
This is.. alarming. 😔 Is it possible this is all essential travel? 😱
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) April 15, 2020
Really worried. Don’t think the April 30 deadline to flatten the curve will not be achieved at the rate we are going.
Unfair to people who really stay home.
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) April 15, 2020
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group confiscated the driver’s licenses of non-essential drivers and issued them tickets. MMDA special traffic and transport zone head Bong Nebrija stated that it only proves that there are still people who do not observe the enhanced community quarantine.
Nebrija said: “It means na marami sa ating mga tao hindi nag-o-observe ng ECQ.”