MMDA all set for PBBM’s 2nd SONA

As far as traffic management is concerned, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) leadership said that the agency is ready for the upcoming second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24.

MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes said for the forthcoming SONA (to be conducted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.), the agency will field 1,354 personnel to manage both vehicular and pedestrian traffic; assist in emergency response; conduct road and sidewalk clearing operations; assist in crowd control; traffic monitoring; as well as assist in the operations of the Task Force SONA 2023, Philippine National Police, Quezon City Police District, Presidential Security Group, and Quezon City government.

"Preparations are in full swing for us to ensure that traffic will be orderly along Commonwealth Avenue, IBP Road, and all other thoroughfares surrounding the House of Representatives. SONA-related activities as well as transport strike will be monitored at the newly-inaugurated MMDA Communications and Command Center," Artes said.

In addition, the MMDA shall implement a counterflow lane on the southbound portions of Commonwealth Avenue to give way to vehicles of government officials and guests going to the complex.

As traffic is expected to be heavy along along Commonwealth Avenue and in the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex during the SONA, motorists are advised to take alternate routes.

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.

Northbound (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview via Marikina)

• Light vehicles from C5 Road may turn left at Magiting Street, turn right at Maginhawa Street, turn left at Mayaman Street to Kalayaan Avenue then head to destination.

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.

Further, the MMDA will have a “no day off, no absent” policy for personnel assigned at SONA. Ambulances, tow trucks, mobile patrol units, motorcycle units, and flood mitigation equipment, among others, will also be positioned at designated routes and staging areas.

In addition, the MMDA intensify clearing operations to remove all types of road obstructions, including illegally parked vehicles, to ensure that alternate routes are passable in coordination with the Quezon City government.

The agency will also put up traffic advisory signages along alternate routes to serve as a guide for motorists and set up audiovisual trucks along key areas showing the MMDA policy programs and the president’s live speech.

Photos from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

Also read:

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ADVISORY: Here’s the traffic rerouting plan for PBBM's first SONA

MMDA: It's all systems go for SONA 2020