Most of Edsa to be closed at certain hours for APEC heads of state, delegates

MANILA, Philippines — Aside from the two dedicated lanes on both sides of Edsa for the delegates of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit from Nov. 17-20, the Edsa Traffic Technical Working Group (TWG) has announced that a major portion of Edsa will be closed whenever heads of state use it.

In a press conference, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, who heads the Edsa TWG, has said there will be absolute closure from Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City to Mall of Asia in Pasay City when the convoys of the 21 heads of states pass along the major thoroughfare.

“The full closure is needed because our visitors have protocols in their security. They are used to a certain amount of security, leniency and flexibility,” explained Almendras.

He added that the closure could last for 30 minutes but noted that they could not predict what time of the day the convoys would use Edsa.

Due to the 30-minute delay in travel time, an estimated 36,000 vehicles could be affected once they are stopped by security personnel along Edsa, according to Cabinet Secretary.

“That is why we are appealing to all motorists that if they do not have any important thing to do on these days, they should avoid the stretch of Edsa and other identified roads,” Almendras added.

He noted that the public should bear with the inconvenience to the motorists to help government ensure the safety of heads of state and 10,000 more delegates when they travel from their hotels to the APEC sites.

“On the 17th will be expected arrival of most of the delegates so people should also expect closures along roads leading to the airports,” explained the Cabinet Secretary.

He also advised those going to the airport to add two hours to their travel time to avoid any delays.

For those who would be affected by the full road closures, Almendras said that the MMDA traffic enforcers, together with the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP HPG) would divert them to the Mabuhay Lanes, the designated alternate routes for motorists.

Aside from this major traffic advisory, the MMDA has also announced that Roxas Boulevard from Katigbak to MIA/NIAA Road will be fully closed in both directions from Nov. 16 starting 12:01 a.m. to Nov. 20. Motorists are advised to take the following alternate routes:

* Option 1 (Southbound)

From P. Burgos, take Orosa St., turn right at Kalaw Avenue, turn left at M. H. Del Pilar, left at Quirino Avenue, turn right at F.B. Harrison to Edsa to destination.

Northbound

From Edsa, turn right at FB Harrison, straight to Mabini St., right at Kalaw Avenue, turn left at Orosa St. to P. Burgos to destination.

* Option 2

Northbound and southbound

From Edsa, turn right at Taft Avenue to Manila City Hall to destination.

There will also be road closures in the Mall of Asia Arena area from 6 a.m. of Nov. 18 until midnight specifically on the following roads: Diokno cor Seaside Blvd., Coral Way cor. Seaside, Edsa cor. Macapagal, Macapagal cor. Coral Way, Diokno cor Aseana and Macapagal cor Bradco.

The following alternate routes are recommended:

* For public utility buses – From Edsa take a UTurn before Edsa cor Diokno or take Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. to Baclaran

* For private cars and public utility vehicles – From Edsa right at Macapagal Blvd. left at Seaside Blvd to SM MOA

* From Mall of Asia, take Seaside Blvd. left at Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. left at Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia) to destination.

Roads in the CCP area such as Vicente Sotto Street, Bukaneg Street, JW Diokno Blvd Bridge, Buendia Avenue Extension and M. Jalandoni Street will also be closed from Nov. 16- 20, 2015.

The number coding will still be implemented during the APEC Summit while the daytime truck ban will also be observed along the south truck routes.

“Trucks will only be allowed to use the route from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. except Roxas Boulevard where a 24-hour truck ban will be implemented from Nov. 17-20,” the MMDA announced.  SFM