Motorists told: Avoid Edsa and Roxas Blvd from Nov. 16 to 20

ROAD barriers are ready for positioning along Edsa—from Mandaluyong to Pasay City—to mark the exclusive lanes for VIP Apec delegates from Nov. 17 to 20. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

The Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group advised the public to avoid Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) and Roxas Boulevard from Nov. 16 to 20 as the country hosts the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.

On those dates, Edsa Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong to Pasay City and the entire Roxas Boulevard will be closed at certain hours to give way to delegates who will attend the economic leaders’ meeting.

The Apec Leaders Meeting will be from Nov. 18 to 19, but the government has declared Nov. 17-20 as school holidays.

“The security protocol is that no vehicle will be allowed to travel on Edsa and Roxas Blvd. for 30 minutes when convoys of 21 delegates are passing through the main roads,” Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao said in Radyo Inquirer 990 AM interview on Monday.

On Monday, Nov. 9 2015, authorities will do a dry run at 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. on lanes that will be used for Apec.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said no roads would be closed but heavy traffic is expected, particularly on the southbound lane of Edsa.

Meanwhile, Gunnacao warned of the “Friday the 13th” exodus ahead of the four-day Apec holiday.

Thousands are expected to leave Metro Manila as the government declared Apec week a holiday.

“Ineexpect din kasi natin na swelduhan at bigayan ng bonus kaya magiging ma-traffic sa Friday,” he said.