The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement a traffic management plan for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives in Batasan Hills, Quezon City on July 24 (Monday).
MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said 1,354 personnel are tasked to manage both vehicular and pedestrian traffic; assist in emergency response; conduct road and sidewalk clearing operations; assist in crowd control; traffic monitoring; and support the operations of the Task Force SONA 2023, Philippine National Police, Quezon City Police District, Presidential Security Group, and Quezon City government to ensure a peaceful and orderly SONA.
“SONA-related activities as well as transport strikes will be monitored at the newly inaugurated MMDA Communications and Command Center.”
“Preparations are in full swing for us to ensure that traffic will be orderly along Commonwealth Avenue, IBP Road, and all other thoroughfares surrounding the House of Representatives. SONA-related activities as well as transport strikes will be monitored at the newly inaugurated MMDA Communications and Command Center,” Artes explained.
As part of its traffic management plan, the MMDA shall implement a zipper lane or counterflow on the southbound portions of Commonwealth Avenue to give way to vehicles of government officials and guests going to the complex as needed.
Motorists are advised to take alternate routes to avoid the expected heavy traffic along Commonwealth Avenue and in the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex during the SONA.
ALTERNATE ROUTES:
NORTHBOUND (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview)
• Vehicles from Elliptical Road should take North Avenue, right turn at Mindanao Avenue, then right turn to Sauyo Road or take Quirino Highway to reach the point of destination.
SOUTHBOUND (Fairview to Quezon Memorial Circle)
• Vehicles from Commonwealth Avenue should take Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway, turn left at Mindanao Avenue, then turn left at North Avenue to reach the point of destination.
NORTHBOUND (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview via Marikina)
• Light vehicles from C5 Road may turn left at Magiting St., turn right at Maginhawa St., turn left at Mayaman St. to Kalayaan Avenue to reach the point of destination.
FOR TRUCKS
• All trucks coming from C-5 along Katipunan Avenue should take Luzon Flyover then turn left at Congressional Avenue to reach the point of destination.
The MMDA will implement a “no day off, no absent” policy for personnel assigned at SONA.
The MMDA will implement a “no day off, no absent” policy for personnel assigned at SONA.
Ambulances, tow trucks, mobile patrol units, motorcycle units, and flood mitigation equipment, among others, will also be dispatched at designated routes and staging areas.
In coordination with the Quezon City government, the MMDA shall intensify clearing operations to remove all types of road obstructions, including illegally parked vehicles, to ensure that alternate routes are passable.
Traffic advisory signage will be installed along alternate routes to serve as a guide for motorists. Audiovisual trucks along strategic locations showing the policy programs of the MMDA and the live speech of the President will also be deployed.
Plastic barriers and traffic cones will also be put up along zipper lanes and affected roads.
