MMDA issues traffic rerouting plan for Marcos’ first Sona

FILE PHOTO Commonwealth Avenue leading to the House of Representatives, is the highway where protesters usually march during Sona.  INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday said it would implement a traffic rerouting scheme for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 25.

According to MMDA Officer-in-Charge Baltazar Melgar in a statement, a zipper lane or counterflow on the southbound portion of Commonwealth Avenue will be implemented to give way to vehicles of government officials and guests going to the complex.

Melgar said the MMDA Task Force Special Operations and Anti-Colorum Unit, in coordination with the Quezon City government, shall also intensify clearing operations to remove all types of road obstructions, including illegally-parked vehicles, to ensure that alternate routes are passable.

Motorists are advised to take the following alternate routes as heavy traffic along Commonwealth Avenue is expected:

NORTHBOUND (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview)

• Vehicles from Elliptical Road should take North Avenue, turn right at Mindanao Avenue, then turn right to Sauyo Road or take Quirino Highway, then Commonwealth Avenue 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.

Meanwhile, motorists using light vehicles may also opt to take:

NORTHBOUND (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview via Marikina)

• Light vehicles from Elliptical Road (QMC) should turn right at Maharlika St., turn left at Mayaman St., turn right at Maginhawa St., turn left at C.P. Garcia Avenue, turn right at Katipunan Ave., turn left at A. Bonifacio Ave., go straight to Gen. Luna Ave., turn right at Kambal Rd., turn left at GSIS Road, turn left at Jones St., turn right at Gen. Luna Ave., go straight to A. Mabini St., turn left at Rodriguez Highway, and turn left at Payatas Road to reach the point of destination.
• Light vehicles from C5 Road may turn left at Magiting St., turn right at Maginhawa St., and turn left at Mayaman St. to Kalayaan Avenue to reach the point of destination.

For truck drivers, the following routes are available:

• All trucks coming from C-5 along Katipunan Avenue should take Luzon Flyover and then turn left at Congressional Avenue to reach the point of destination.

Over 1,000 personnel to be deployed

Meanwhile, Melgar said 1,133 personnel from the Traffic Discipline Office, Road Emergency Group, Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group, Flood Control, and Metrobase will also be deployed along Commonwealth Avenue and other roads leading to and within the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

“Personnel assigned are tasked to manage both vehicular and pedestrian traffic; emergency response; clearing operations; assist in crowd control; and support the operations of the Task Force SONA 2022, Philippine National Police, National Capital Region Police Office, Quezon City Police District, Presidential Security Group, and Quezon City government to ensure a peaceful and orderly SONA,” said Melgar.

Ambulances, tow trucks, fire trucks, mobile patrol units, and motorcycle units will also be deployed at designated routes and staging areas.

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