MMDA: It's all systems go for SONA 2020

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is ready for President Rodrigo Duterte’s upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) to be held at the House of Representatives on Monday, July 27.

The agency is set to deploy 1,000 personnel that will be managing traffic and clearing road obstructions along Commonwealth Avenue, IBP Road, and other major roads in Quezon City.

According to Chairman Danilo Lim, personnel tasked to man the said locations will be composed of traffic enforcers, Road Emergency Group personnel, Motorcycle Patrol Units and Sidewalk Clearing Operations Groups.

These personnel are given raincoats, should rain pour on Monday, Lim said.

“The MMDA is in close coordination with the Presidential Security Group, Quezon City Police District and Department of Public Order and Safety to ensure a peaceful and orderly SONA. All assigned personnel to report to their designated post as early as 4:30 am,” the MMDA chair noted.

Aside from that, members of Task Force Special Operations are to conduct clearing operations to remove illegally-parked vehicles and other road obstructions at the following areas ahead of the SONA: Batasan Hills, Litex Road, Tandang Sora, Visayas Ave, Congressional Avenue, C-5 Road, Magiting, Maginhawa, Mayaman and Kalayaan.

Since heavy traffic is expected along Commonwealth Avenue and the vicinity of Batasang Pambansa Complex, motorists are advised to take alternate routes.

ALTERNATE ROUTES:

NORTHBOUND (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview): From Elliptical Road (QMC), take North Avenue, Mindanao Ave., Quirino Highway, Commonwealth Ave, to destination

SOUTHBOUND (Fairview to Quezon Memorial Circle): From Elliptical Road (QMC), take Commonwealth Avenue, Quirino Highway, Mindanao Avenue, North Avenue to destination.

According to the MMDA, motorists may also take the following routes:

For LIGHT VEHICLES (Northbound: QMC to Fairview) via Marikina

From Elliptical Road (QMC), turn right Maharlika, turn left Mayaman, turn right Maginhawa, turn left C.P. Garcia, turn right Katipunan Ave., turn left A. Bonifacio Ave., straight to Gen. Luna Ave., turn right Kambal Road, turn left GSIS Road, turn left Jones St., turn right Gen. Luna Ave., straight to A. Mabini St., turn left Rodriguez Highway, turn left Payatas Road to destination

For LIGHT VEHICLES (Southbound: Fairview to QMC)

From Elliptical Road (QMC), turn right Luzon Ave., turn right Tandang Sora Ave., turn right to Central Ave. to destination

For LIGHT VEHICLES (QMC to Fairview)

From Elliptical Road (QMC), Turn right University Ave. turn right C.P. Garcia Ave. turn right and U-turn to Katipunan Ave. turn right Commonwealth Ave, Turn right Maharlika, turn left Masaya, turn right Maginhawa, turn left Magiting, turn right C.P. Garcia Ave. then U- turn and turn right Commonwealth Ave. to destination.

The agency will be opening zipper lanes (allow counterflow of vehicles) along Commonwealth Avenue at the following portions: Quezon Memorial Circle; U.P. Techno Hub; and Tandang Sora to accommodate the volume of vehicles on the northbound lane. The zipper lanes will be guided by  plastic barriers and traffic cones.

Moreover, the MMDA will place ambulances, tow trucks, military trucks, and other resources on standby in case of any untoward incident that may occur.

Photos from Presidential Communications Operations Office,Gen. Danny Lim Facebook page

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