Edsa closure, Apec traffic scheme tested this weekend

FROM PASAY TO THE WORLD The master control room of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) International Media Center at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, goes on a trial run Thursday, ahead of the 21-state Apec Summit next week. JOAN BONDOC

Traffic schemes related to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit will again have a dry run this weekend as authorities fine-tune preparations for the high-security international event scheduled for next week.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, who heads the Edsa Technical Working Group for Apec, advised motorists and commuters that the dry run would start at 7 a.m. Saturday, with “practice convoys” timing their movements between Apec venues and hotels.

On Sunday, traffic management personnel will simulate scenarios for the 30-minute closure of a long stretch of Edsa—from Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City to SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The closure will be both on Edsa’s south and northbound lanes.

Almendras earlier announced that a section of Edsa would have to be closed to general traffic every time a VIP delegation in the Apec Summit needs to pass.

“We need these dry runs because there should be a timing sequence especially with the heads of states arriving at the Philippine International Convention Center one after the other,” he said. “We need to practice the movements. (They) should be well-coordinated.” Maricar Brizuela