NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
MMDA Implements Traffic Management Plan For President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Second SONA
PCO File Photo
Quezon City, Metro Manila - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is gearing up to implement a comprehensive traffic management plan for the upcoming second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the House of Representatives in Batasan Hills on July 24.
Under the guidance of MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, a total of 1,354 personnel have been assigned to various tasks to ensure the smooth flow of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the event. These personnel will be responsible for managing traffic, assisting in emergency response, conducting road and sidewalk clearing operations, ensuring crowd control, monitoring traffic conditions, and supporting the operations of various government agencies involved in the SONA, such as the Task Force SONA 2023, Philippine National Police, Quezon City Police District, Presidential Security Group, and Quezon City Government.
"To ensure that traffic will be orderly along Commonwealth Avenue, IBP Road, and all other thoroughfares surrounding the House of Representatives, preparations are in full swing. SONA-related activities, as well as any transport strikes, will be closely monitored at the newly inaugurated MMDA Communications and Command Center," stated Atty. Artes.
As part of the traffic management plan, the MMDA will implement a zipper lane or counterflow on the southbound portions of Commonwealth Avenue to accommodate the vehicles of government officials and guests heading to the Batasang Pambansa Complex.
Motorists are advised to consider alternate routes to avoid the anticipated heavy traffic along Commonwealth Avenue and the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex during the SONA. The following alternate routes have been recommended:
NORTHBOUND (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview):
• Vehicles from Elliptical Road should take North Avenue, make a right turn at Mindanao Avenue, and then a right turn to Sauyo Road. Alternatively, they can take Quirino Highway to reach their destination.
SOUTHBOUND (Fairview to Quezon Memorial Circle):
• Vehicles from Commonwealth Avenue should take Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway, turn left at Mindanao Avenue, and then turn left at North Avenue to reach their destination.
NORTHBOUND (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview via Marikina):
• Light vehicles from C5 Road may turn left at Magiting St., right at Maginhawa St., left at Mayaman St., and proceed to Kalayaan Avenue to reach their destination.
TRUCKS:
• All trucks coming from C-5 along Katipunan Avenue should take Luzon Flyover and then turn left at Congressional Avenue to reach their destination.
To ensure the success of the traffic management plan, the MMDA has implemented a "no day off, no absent" policy for all personnel assigned to the SONA. Additionally, ambulances, tow trucks, mobile patrol units, motorcycle units, and flood mitigation equipment will be dispatched along designated routes and staging areas.
In coordination with the Quezon City government, the MMDA will intensify road clearing operations to remove all types of road obstructions, including illegally parked vehicles, to ensure that alternate routes remain passable. Traffic advisory signage will be installed along these routes to guide motorists, and audiovisual trucks showcasing MMDA's policy programs and live coverage of the President's speech will be strategically positioned.
Furthermore, plastic barriers and traffic cones will be placed along zipper lanes and affected roads to manage the flow of vehicles and ensure safety.
In related news, the Media Affairs and Public Relations Service (MAPRS) of the House of Representatives (HRep) has finalized coverage arrangements for the SONA. On Tuesday, MAPRS Director Joaquin Romeo Santiago met with members of the HRep-accredited media to share the new media coverage policy introduced by HRep Secretary General Reginald Velasco. The policy includes provisions for media organizations to test the feed from Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) before the SONA, and it grants accredited media spaces along the red carpet to cover government officials entering the Batasan Complex. Additionally, representatives from select media organizations will have the opportunity to be seated as guests in the Plenary Hall during the SONA.
Under the guidance of MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, a total of 1,354 personnel have been assigned to various tasks to ensure the smooth flow of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the event. These personnel will be responsible for managing traffic, assisting in emergency response, conducting road and sidewalk clearing operations, ensuring crowd control, monitoring traffic conditions, and supporting the operations of various government agencies involved in the SONA, such as the Task Force SONA 2023, Philippine National Police, Quezon City Police District, Presidential Security Group, and Quezon City Government.
"To ensure that traffic will be orderly along Commonwealth Avenue, IBP Road, and all other thoroughfares surrounding the House of Representatives, preparations are in full swing. SONA-related activities, as well as any transport strikes, will be closely monitored at the newly inaugurated MMDA Communications and Command Center," stated Atty. Artes.
As part of the traffic management plan, the MMDA will implement a zipper lane or counterflow on the southbound portions of Commonwealth Avenue to accommodate the vehicles of government officials and guests heading to the Batasang Pambansa Complex.
Motorists are advised to consider alternate routes to avoid the anticipated heavy traffic along Commonwealth Avenue and the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex during the SONA. The following alternate routes have been recommended:
NORTHBOUND (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview):
• Vehicles from Elliptical Road should take North Avenue, make a right turn at Mindanao Avenue, and then a right turn to Sauyo Road. Alternatively, they can take Quirino Highway to reach their destination.
SOUTHBOUND (Fairview to Quezon Memorial Circle):
• Vehicles from Commonwealth Avenue should take Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway, turn left at Mindanao Avenue, and then turn left at North Avenue to reach their destination.
NORTHBOUND (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview via Marikina):
• Light vehicles from C5 Road may turn left at Magiting St., right at Maginhawa St., left at Mayaman St., and proceed to Kalayaan Avenue to reach their destination.
TRUCKS:
• All trucks coming from C-5 along Katipunan Avenue should take Luzon Flyover and then turn left at Congressional Avenue to reach their destination.
To ensure the success of the traffic management plan, the MMDA has implemented a "no day off, no absent" policy for all personnel assigned to the SONA. Additionally, ambulances, tow trucks, mobile patrol units, motorcycle units, and flood mitigation equipment will be dispatched along designated routes and staging areas.
In coordination with the Quezon City government, the MMDA will intensify road clearing operations to remove all types of road obstructions, including illegally parked vehicles, to ensure that alternate routes remain passable. Traffic advisory signage will be installed along these routes to guide motorists, and audiovisual trucks showcasing MMDA's policy programs and live coverage of the President's speech will be strategically positioned.
Furthermore, plastic barriers and traffic cones will be placed along zipper lanes and affected roads to manage the flow of vehicles and ensure safety.
In related news, the Media Affairs and Public Relations Service (MAPRS) of the House of Representatives (HRep) has finalized coverage arrangements for the SONA. On Tuesday, MAPRS Director Joaquin Romeo Santiago met with members of the HRep-accredited media to share the new media coverage policy introduced by HRep Secretary General Reginald Velasco. The policy includes provisions for media organizations to test the feed from Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) before the SONA, and it grants accredited media spaces along the red carpet to cover government officials entering the Batasan Complex. Additionally, representatives from select media organizations will have the opportunity to be seated as guests in the Plenary Hall during the SONA.
Jul 19, 2023
