MMDA releases traffic rerouting plan for Marcos Jr’s first SONA

Motorists plying through Commonwealth Avenue should take note that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) will be happening next Monday, July 25. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is making its preparation in regard to the said event.

The MMDA gives alternate routes for next week's SONA [Photo: Google Maps]

The MMDA announced that it will be implementing a traffic rerouting scheme on July 25 to address the expected traffic on Marcos Jr.’s first SONA. The agency said that it will also implement a zipper lane or counterflow scheme on the southbound portion of Commonwealth Avenue. This is to give way to vehicles of government officials and guests going to the Batasang Pambansa Complex.

Motorists are advised to take the following alternate routes on July 25: 

Here are the alternate routes laid out by the MMDA

NORTHBOUND (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview)

- Vehicles from Elliptical Road should take North Avenue, turn right at Mindanao Avenue then turn right to Sauyo Road or take Quirino Highway, then Commonwealth Avenue 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.

The MMDA added that motorists using light vehicles may also opt to take the following alternate route: 

Alternate route for light vehicles

NORTHBOUND (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview via Marikina)

- Light vehicles from Elliptical Road (QMC) should turn right at Maharlika St., turn left at Mayaman St., turn right at Maginhawa St., turn left at C.P. Garcia Avenue, turn right at Katipunan Ave., turn left at A. Bonifacio Ave., go straight to Gen. Luna Ave., turn right at Kambal Rd., turn left at GSIS Road, turn left at Jones St., turn right at Gen. Luna Ave., go straight to A. Mabini St., turn left at Rodriguez Highway, turn left at Payatas Road to reach the point of destination.

- Light vehicles from C5 Road may turn left at Magiting St., turn right at Maginhawa St., turn left at Mayaman St. to Kalayaan Avenue to reach the point of destination.

Meanwhile, the MMDA said that all trucks coming from C-5 along Katipunan Avenue should take Luzon Flyover and then turn left at Congressional Avenue to reach the point of destination. 

MMDA officer-in-charge (OIC) Baltazar Melgar added that 1,133 personnel from the Traffic Discipline Office, Road Emergency Group, Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group, Flood Control, and Metrobase will be deployed along Commonwealth Avenue on July 25. The agency’s personnel will also be stationed within the vicinity of the complex.    

Ambulances, tow trucks, fire trucks, mobile patrol units, motorcycle units, among others, will also be deployed at designated routes and staging areas.

The PNP will be deploying over 21,000 personnel

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will also reinforce MMDA’s personnel by deploying more than 21,000 cops. PNP National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad noted that there will be 16,964 organic NCRPO personnel, 1,905 from PNP support units, and 2,974 from other coordinating agencies and peacekeeping partners.  

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