Expect Traffic Congestion in These Areas During the 2019 SEA GAMES

The 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is just around the corner. The question is: How is the Philippine government preparing for this 12-day event, which will be officially opened in the Philippine Arena starting November 30 until December 11?

According to Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danilo Lim, they plan to deploy around 2,000 personnel in key areas in the metropolis to manage traffic and assist motorists on the road.

Traffic Disruptions and Chokepoints for Motorists

Despite their preparations, MMDA still warns the public of traffic disruptions in the "SEA Game Clusters" located within Clark, Subic, Southern Luzon and other nearby vicinities.

Meanwhile, those who are driving to EDSA should expect traffic congestion in the following areas:

NORTHBOUND AREA

Roxas Blvd, Taft Avenue, Ayala, Buendia, Shaw Boulevard, Megamall, Santolan, SM North, Munoz and Balintawak

SOUTHBOUND AREA

Balintawak, Munoz, SM North, Cubao, Santolan, Ortigas, Shaw Boulevard, Boni Serrano, Buendia corner Macapagal, Ayala Magallanes, and Roxas Boulevard

MMDA also gave the following chokepoint areas for motorists:

• SLEX Northbound
• Mindanao Avenue- North Ave to NLEX in Quezon City
• Roxas Blvd corner Buendia
• Roxas Blvd corner P. Ocampo
• Roxas Blvd P. Burgos
• Taft Avenue corner P. Ocampo
• Adriatico RMSC Area
• Quirino corner Adriatico, in Manila City
• Shaw Boulevard corner Pioneer in Pasig City
• N. Domingo-FilOil in San Juan City
• Lawton Avenue corner Bayani Road in Taguig

Convenient Transportation for Delegates

MMDA will be providing delegates personnel and equipment assistance in designated routes as they get transported "from airport to billeting hotels, sports venues and other engagement areas".

“Aside from deployment of traffic personnel to strategic areas, we shall provide motorcycle and mobile car escorts, ambulances, tow trucks as well as monitoring of road activities during the SEA Games,” said Lim.

There will also be stop-and-go traffic schemes to be enforced on EDSA and other major roads and intersections to allow faster mobility for the delegates when transferring to different venues. MMDA will also provide temporary traffic stops as delegates' convoy pass through roads and interactions.

Meanwhile, convoy-carrying delegates will use the yellow lane, flyover and underpasses while traveling along EDSA.

NLEX Corporation President Luigi Bautista also announced that they are going to add a special lane for all the athletes and officials who are participating in the 30th SEA Games this year. The opening ceremony of the this year's SEA Games will be held in the Philippine Arena in Bocaue and Santa Maria, Bulacan. This 55,000 seater stadium is beside the northbound lane of the North Luzon Expressway o NLEX, heading to Pampanga.

Aside from the Philippine Arena, The 2019 SEA Games will take place in the following sports venues: Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Cuneta Astrodome, SM Mall of Asia Arena, SM MOA Skating Rink, World Trade Center, Philippine International Convention Center Forum, SM Megamall, Filoil Flying V Centre, Filinvest City, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Gym, Marine Corps, Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Starmall EDSA, Makati Coliseum, Manila Hotel tent, SM Megamall Ice Rink, World Trade Center, Philsports Arena, Amoranto Sports Complex, and Manila Polo Club.