MMDA to deploy 1K personnel to manage traffic on Duterte’s SONA

MANILA, Philippines – About 1,000 traffic management personnel will be deployed on Commonwealth Avenue and other major roads in preparation for President Rodrigo Duterte’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

In a statement Friday, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Danilo Lim said that personnel who will be assigned for the presidential address will come from different branches of MMDA such as traffic enforcement unit, road emergency group, motorcycle patrol units and sidewalk clearing operations group.

“The MMDA is in close coordination with the Presidential Security Group, Quezon City Police District and Department of Public Order and Safety to ensure a peaceful and orderly SONA. All assigned personnel (will) report to their designated post as early as 4:30 am,” Lim said.

Members of Task Force Special Operations will also remove road obstructions including illegally-parked vehicles in the following areas:

Batasan Hills
Litex Road
Tandang Sora
Visayas Avenue
Congressional Avenue
C-5 Road
Magiting Street
Maginhawa Street
Mayaman Street
Kalayaan Street

The MMDA will also deploy zipper lanes, plastic barriers and traffic cones to guide motorists.

Counter-flow will also be allowed along the following sections of Commonwealth Avenue to accommodate traffic from the northbound lane:

Quezon Memorial Circle
U.P. Techno Hub
Tandang Sora

Motorists are meanwhile advised to take alternate routes on Monday as heavy traffic is expected to pour the vicinity of Batasang Pambansa Complex.

ALTERNATE ROUTES:
Northbound, Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) to Fairview: From Elliptical Road (QMC), take North Avenue, Mindanao Avenue, Quirino Highway, and then Commonwealth Avenue to destination.

Southbound, Fairview to QMC: Take Commonwealth Avenue, Quirino Highway, Mindanao Avenue, and then North Avenue to destination.

Motorists may also take the following routes:

LIGHT VEHICLES, Northbound, QMC to Fairview, via Marikina:

From Elliptical Road (QMC), turn right to Maharlika, turn left to Mayaman, turn right to Maginhawa, turn left to C.P. Garcia, turn right to Katipunan Avenue, turn left to A. Bonifacio Avenue, straight to Gen. Luna Avenue, turn right to Kambal Road, turn left to GSIS Road, turn left to Jones St., turn right to Gen. Luna Avenue, straight to A. Mabini Street, turn left to Rodriguez Highway, and then turn left Payatas Road to destination.

LIGHT VEHICLES, Southbound, Fairview to QMC:

From Elliptical Road (QMC), turn right Luzon Avenue, turn right to Tandang Sora Avenue, and then turn right to Central Ave. to destination.

LIGHT VEHICLES, QMC to Fairview:

From Elliptical Road (QMC), Turn right to University Avenue, turn right to C.P. Garcia Avenue, turn right and take a U-turn to Katipunan Avenue, turn right to Commonwealth Avenue, turn right to Maharlika, turn left to Masaya, turn right to Maginhawa, turn left to Magiting, turn right to C.P. Garcia Avenue, then take a U- turn and then turn right to Commonwealth Avenue to destination.

Ambulances and other emergency response units will also be on stand-by in case any “untoward incident” may happen.

Malacañang earlier asked the groups who are planning to protest on the President’s SONA to hold their activities online to avoid mass gatherings.

The Department of Interior and Local Government on Friday passed a memorandum reiterating prohibitions on mass gatherings.

Earlier, the Philippine National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said that they will deploy 5,000 law enforcers to provide security during the SONA and assist protesters during rallies.

Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said that they will allow protests as long as they adhere to the Presidential Decree 880, the law that oversees peaceable assembly.

Activist group, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) meanwhile vowed to follow health protocols and require attendees to wear personal protective equipment during the protest movements for the upcoming SONA. (Jim Mendoza, Trainee)

EDV