Rains snarl traffic, leave commuters stranded

An evening downpour snarled traffic then stranded several commuters in Manila as flash floods hit several major thoroughfares of the city Wednesday. Floods made some parts of Manila's Quiapo and Sampaloc districts difficult for small vehicles to cross, prompting commuters to scramble for space in passenger jeeps. Pedicab drivers stopped plying their usual routes in flood-hit areas, even as children were seen swimming and playing in puddles. Some taxi drivers were seen taking advantage of the situation by haggling for "kontrata," or a prearranged fare. Other taxi drivers were seen refusing passengers rides. Traffic in the northbound Bonifacio Shrine area and along España Avenue in Sampaloc slowed to a crawl. No policeman was seen pounding the beat, while traffic aides stationed in Quiapo themselves joined the fray to get jeep rides home. - GMANews.TV