MMDA: All systems go for PBBM’s 1st SONA today

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) expressed its readiness for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) to be held today at the House of Representatives.

In a statement, the agency said that a meeting was held last Friday to finalize the preparations, which include the implementation of a traffic rerouting plan and deployment of personnel and equipment.

A total of 1,133 personnel from the MMDA’s Traffic Discipline Office, Road Emergency Group, Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group, Flood Control are required to report as early as 6 a.m. at their designated posts. They are tasked to manage vehicular and pedestrian traffic, respond to emergencies, clear roads, as well as assist in crowd control at Commonwealth Avenue and other roads leading to and within the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

Further, the statement also added that ambulances, tow trucks, fire trucks, mobile patrol units, motorcycle units, and other resources will also be deployed at designated routes and staging areas.

The MMDA also said that it is in close coordination with the Task Force SONA 2022, Philippine National Police, National Capital Region Police Office, Quezon City Police District, Presidential Security Group, and Quezon City government to ensure a peaceful and orderly SONA.

Moreover, the MMDA shared that it has assisted in installing tarpaulins that promote today’s event at the agency’s public service announcement tool “Pahayagan ng Bayan” located at major roads around Metro Manila and LED boards along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue. More than 200 tarpaulins were installed, the MMDA noted.

Meanwhile, the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center also placed traffic advisory signages along alternate routes.

Aside from that, the agency will also have plastic barriers and traffic cones along Commonwealth Avenue, IBP Road, the Litex area, and other routes that will serve as dividers for rallyists and motorists.

Furthermore, a counterflow lane along Commonwealth Avenue will also be put up to give way to vehicles of government officials and guests going to the complex.

• Southbound: from Quezon Memorial Circle to in front of Lido Restaurant
• Northbound: from Doña Carmen to Litex Road

Last week, the MMDA Task Force Special Operations started its clearing operations on alternate routes to rid the roads of obstructions.

Motorists are advised to take alternate routes to avoid expected heavy traffic along Commonwealth Avenue and in the vicinity of Batasang Pambansa Complex during the SONA.

Photos from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Presidential Communications Operations Office

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