Security preps in full swing for Bongbong Marcos’ first Sona — NCRPO

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (INQUIRER PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — It’s all systems go security-wise for the first State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Wednesday.

According to the NCRPO, concerned government and non-government agencies have committed their resources and set up an interagency deployment strategy to ensure the success of Sona on July 25.

“With a strong interagency deployment of more than 22K hot bodies, we can confidently say that we are ALL SET for the Sona 2022,” Police Major General Felipe Natividad said at the second inter-agency coordinating conference.

READ: Over 21,000 security personnel to be deployed for Bongbong Marcos’ first Sona

Deployment plans of subtask groups will ensure that no “foreseeable security glitch” will occur on the first presidential Sona as they are determined to follow security templates, said the NCRPO.

These include the gun ban and other protective measures, intensive road clearing operations, and ensuring alternative routes are accessible for public transit.

To make way for government officials and guest vehicles entering the Batasan complex, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that it would reroute traffic and open a zipper lane on Commonwealth Avenue.

A “No Rally Zone” will soon go into effect on Commonwealth Avenue, while a “No Fly Zone” will apply to aerial vehicles, including drones, above the venue. Unauthorized drone flight may result in asset loss for the owner.

In line with the rerouting plan, motorists are advised to take the following alternate routes:

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

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, 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., 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 and then turn left at Congressional Avenue to reach the point of destination

The free flow of traffic will be maintained despite the closure of alleys, roads, and streets in the area of Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, NCRPO said.

“The success of this endeavor is dependent not only upon the collaboration and coordination among various agencies but more so upon the participation and cooperation of the general public. This event being a reflection of our character as a nation, I enjoin the public to observe policies and security procedures to be implemented to uphold public safety during the event,” Natividad said. — Andy Hoo, INQUIRER.net trainee

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