Actress Angelica Panganiban recently shared her frustration over Metro Manila’s worsening traffic, drawing mixed reactions from netizens.
In a now-deleted Instagram Story, Panganiban expressed disbelief that it took her an hour to travel the short distance from Makati to Bonifacio Global City, a trip of only four kilometers. “What if we all just cry together?” she joked, adding an emoji of a shaking head.
Her comment quickly spread online, with some netizens criticizing her for complaining about a situation that millions of Filipinos endure daily. Some pointed out that she was still in the comfort of her car, unlike ordinary commuters who struggle with long queues and packed public transport.
However, others defended the actress, saying she was merely stating a fact and that traffic remains a major problem in the country. Supporters argued that even celebrities are affected and should be allowed to voice their frustrations.
This isn’t the first time Panganiban has called out Metro Manila’s traffic woes. In 2019, she posted a series of tweets questioning why Filipinos seem to accept the issue as normal.
Recent data from TomTom’s Traffic Index ranked Metro Manila as having the worst traffic congestion among 387 cities worldwide in 2023. Motorists reportedly spent an average of 240 hours on the road throughout the year, with rush-hour speeds dropping to just 19 km/h.
The Department of Transportation has acknowledged the severity of the situation, calling for creative and long-term solutions. Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority reported that major roads like Commonwealth Avenue and EDSA see over 400,000 vehicles daily, worsening congestion.
