Apec brings rare quiet in parts of Manila

A rare sight on Edsa as public utility buses are kept off the roads for the Apec meetings. Stranded commuters were forced Tuesday to walk along the Mandaluyong-Guadalupe portion of the highway to get home or go to work. BIKE CAM/AC

LARGE sections of central Manila’s busiest thoroughfares were closed Tuesday to all but official vehicles during Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.

The nearly empty streets are a rare sight in notoriously traffic clogged Manila.

The government has advised residents to either take a holiday or stay a home during the meetings.

The influx of foreign leaders into Manila and extra-tight security also disrupted travel plans with hundreds of flights canceled or delayed.

Manila’s international airport was deserted for stretches of Tuesday as airspace was restricted for the arrival of leaders including President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping.

Leaders from 21 countries and self-governing territories are gathering in Manila for the Apec summit.

The meeting’s official agenda is focused on trade, business and economic issues but terrorism, South China Sea disputes and climate change are also set to be in focus.