AS in previous iterations of the State of the Nation Address of the Philippine President, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has outlined a management plan which includes closed streets and alternative routes.
As President R. Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his third SONA on July 22, MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, said that there will be 1,329 personnel who will manage and monitor traffic which also includes assisting in emergency response, and conducting rounds of road and sidewalk clearing operations.
As part of the traffic management plan, the agency will also implement a counterflow on the southbound portions of Commonwealth Avenue to give way to the government officials and guest vehicles to head to the Batasang Pambansa Complex.
MMDA will also implement a policy of “no day off, no absence” among the assigned personnel to ensure the effectiveness of the function during the conduct of the SONA.
Artes also stated that the MMDA is 100 percent for PBBM’s upcoming SONA.
“We are in close coordination with the Task Force SONA 2024, Quezon City Police District, Presidential Security Command, House of Representatives, and Quezon City government to ensure a safe, peaceful and orderly SONA.” He said.
For its part, Batasan-IBP Road will close to cars at eight in the morning. as part of the precautions for the President’s third State of the Nation Address.
The MMDA also recommends motorists and drivers to find an alternative route to avoid heavy traffic on Commonwealth Avenue and around the Batasang Pambansa Complex, particularly about 3 p.m. as dignitaries begin to arrive.
MMDA has also released a list of alternative routes that people can go at.
Northbound (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview)
• Vehicles from Elliptical Road should take North Avenue, right turn at Mindanao Avenue, then right turn to Sauyo Road or take Quirino Highway 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.
For Light vehicles
• 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 then turn left at Congressional Avenue to reach the point of destination.
Furthermore, the recently upgraded MMDA Communications and Command Center in Pasig City would keep an eye on SONA protest activities including the dispatch of ambulances, tow trucks, mobile patrol units, motorcycle units, and flood mitigation equipment.
Traffic warning signage will also be installed to help drivers navigate alternate routes—along with zipper lanes and other impacted routes. Plastic barriers and traffic cones will also be installed within the area.
Meanwhile, the traffic flow is expected to be at ease once the President finished delivering his SONA.
