Palace on traffic during Xi visit: 'We just have to live with that'

'Traffic worse during Pope visit'

MANILA, Philippines — "We just have to live with that."

This is what presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said when asked to comment on traffic caused by unannounced road closures for Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit.

He told reporters at a Malacañang press briefing on Thursday afternoon that "the priority of the state is the security of the visiting head of state."

Many motorists took to Facebook to complain that the South Luzon Expressway was not among the roads included in the list of closures announced by the Metro Manila Development Authority on September 19, prior to Xi's visit.

RELATED: LIST: Road closures, alternative routes during Xi Jinping’s state visit

The traffic itself, Panelo said, however, "'is understandable." He said that in Manila, work was suspended, "so they would have to converge in Makati and other places. There will be traffic."

On November 20, Facebook user Rex Varona posted photos of travelers on their way to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, who had to get out of their cars and walk with their luggage in an effort to get to their scheduled flights.

READ: Motorists irked over unannounced road closures for Xi’s visit

Netizens also reported that the rotunda near Villamor Air Base and Nichols Interchange (Sales Road) were closed off to let Xi's convoy pass.

The Chinese president left Manila on Wednesday, November 21, after his first state visit, where at least 29 bilateral agreements and deals were signed, at around 1:30 p.m.

Capt. Zeerah Blanche Lucrecia, Presidential Security Group spokesperson, explained Wednesday night that it was the PSG's call to close roads that weren't included in the MMDA's announcement.

“In connection with the visit, we appeal to the understanding of those who may have been affected,” Lucrecia said in a press statement.

“As host to our state guest, we provided the necessary hospitality and security to ensure the smooth flow of their movement,” she added.

Reporters also asked Panelo how the president felt about the traffic this time, considering he had harsh words for Pope Francis during his 2015 visit, which also triggered massive gridlock in Metro Manila.

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"If you compare the traffic during Pope Francis' visit to the other day, there's a whale of a difference," Panelo said. "During that time it took me seven, eight, nine, even 10 hours [to travel]. The other day, it only took maybe one or two hours."