ILOILO CITY—The Public Safety and Transportation Management Office of the Iloilo City government said the monstrous traffic jam caused by the long queues for discounted fuel by an oil company on Tuesday has stranded commuters in the city.
“We appreciate your intention. However, as much as it can help our fellow Ilonggos in this time of need, the entire city experienced a chaotic traffic flow and aggravated the influx of people, which is very detrimental to our fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19),” said PTSMO Chief Jeck Conlu.
“You might have helped some of your customers, but because of the very limited time of your promotion, it created an inconvenience to thousands of others,” Conlu said in a letter delivered to the oil company.
Traffic snarled in all districts of the city, which is the regional capital of Western Visayas, when several types of vehicles were lining up to avail of the 50-percent discount on fuel from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on December 22.
It also created a domino effect to the riding public as everyday commuters could not avail of rides as drivers of public jeepneys or taxis were also lining up along the roads in an attempt to avail of the fuel discount.
“I hope the letter can be forwarded to its upper management in the national level,” Conlu told the Manila Bulletin.
The oil firm has issued a public apology for its 12 Days of Merry Promo that caused traffic in Iloilo City and other areas in the country.