The 1st World Pyro Olympics, an international competition among the world’s top aerial fireworks display companies, caused horrendous traffic last Monday night when it its opened at the Bay City area in Pasay City.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the Pasay City government simply could not handle the volume of vehicles and spectators.
"Maybe because there were so many who flocked to the venue, they were not able to come up with an alternative plan to control the growing crowd as spectators were spilling into the roadways," said Angelito Vergel de Dios, executive director of the Traffic Operations Center of the MMDA.
Motorists using Roxas Boulevard complained there were no road signs or advisories or even traffic enforcers visible to warn or guide them. Vehicles were parked on the road, causing a virtual standstill.
Traffic was still heavy for several hours even after the fireworks show ended.
De Dios insisted several MMDA traffic enforcers were deployed to the area to help Pasay traffic personnel in giving directions to vehicles passing the area that night.
Meanwhile, the Pasay City Public Information Office (PIO) admitted the event caused heavy traffic, but that they have formulated measures to ease traffic flow in the Bay City area.
Manny Aun, PIO chief, said around 120,000 spectators filled the Esplanade located in front of the Mall of Asia at the Central Business Park the other night.
"Traffic personnel were deployed and they were given particular areas to monitor," he said.
Florencio Mateo of the Pasay City Traffic Department said they did not expect such a huge crowd. "We deployed traffic enforcers, but they were not enough to control the flow of traffic," he said.
To avoid a repeat of Monday}s traffic gridlock, organizers will be fielding additional traffic personnel.
Mateo said tehy have also coordinated with SM Group of Companies, which manages the Mall of Asia on Roxas Boulevard, to open their parking lots to guests.
"We will segregate areas for those arriving with vehicles and those who don’t have cars. We have pinpointed particular areas where they can be accommodated," Mateo said.
The event ,which will run until Dec. 30, features 20-minute aerial fireworks displays by two companies each night.
There are nine competing participant-countries namely: Australia, China, Germany, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and the US.