Bernadette Sembrano takes MRT as Metro Manila floods, traffic worsens

“Hawak ko ang BEEP,” Sembrano captioned her post.

She also shared how she prepared for the rainy commute, wearing plastic shoes and keeping her backpack in front of her as floodwaters affected several roads.

“Plastic shoes on, Beep card in hand, backpack in front, baha on our streets… The MRT is a big relief commuting from South to North of EDSA,” she wrote.

Sembrano, who normally drives to work, also praised the improvements she noticed at the train stations, including the facilities.

“Promise ang laki na ng ginanda ng train station and banyo ….. Definitely #better,” she added.

Her experience came as Metro Manila was battered by heavy rainfall on Monday, with roads and communities experiencing flooding and worsening traffic conditions.

As of 6 p.m. Monday, heavy traffic was still being reported along several stretches of EDSA as motorists dealt with the aftermath of the day’s intense rainfall.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said 201.7 millimeters of rain fell in Metro Manila within five hours, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., based on measurements at the DOST-PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City. Of this total, 138.7 millimeters fell between noon and 2 p.m.

MMDA chair Romando “Don” Artes said the already saturated soil contributed to rapid flooding in several areas. He noted, however, that floodwaters generally receded within 30 minutes to an hour after the heavy downpour in areas served by functioning pumping stations.

Sembrano’s MRT commute highlighted how rail transportation offered an alternative as rain-related flooding and traffic continued to affect Metro Manila roads.

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