By Jel Santos and Noreen Jazul
Motorists must expect heavy traffic congestion on Wednesday (Dec. 11) on EDSA and other major thoroughfares because of the closing ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.
MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pialago (YOUTUBE)
The agency advised motorists to avoid using the yellow lane as it will be used by the delegates’ convoys, as well as the inserts towards flyover, and tunnel/underpass while traveling along EDSA.
The SEA Games’ closing ceremony will be held at the New Clark Athletics Stadium in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac at 5 p.m.
The MMDA said 114 buses and other types of vehicles with SEA Games delegates aboard will travel from different billeting hotels around Metro Manila en route to New Clark Athletics Stadium after lunch time.
MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago told Unang Hirit on Tuesday that as early as 10:00 a.m., there will be movement from the hotels of the delegates outside Metro Manila, while movement from delegates staying in Metro Manila will start at 2:00 p.m.
To deal with the anticipated heavy traffic, MMDA will implement the stop-and-go scheme it employed for the opening ceremony on Nov. 30 in areas affected by the SEA Games closing ceremonies.
"Kagaya po ng naging approach noong opening ng SEA games, ganon din po ‘yung magiging sistema for closing, stop-and-go scheme tayo para sa sasakyan ng mga pribadong at pambulikong motorista, pag dadaan po ‘yung mga convoy packages," MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago told Unang Hirit.
(Like we did during the SEA Games opening, for the closing we will also use the stop-and-go scheme for private and public vehicles whenever the convoys pass by.)
The system was enforced along EDSA, Roxas Boulevard, Quezon Avenue, and other thoroughfares in Metro Manila that accommodated convoys of athletes, sports officials, and other guests.
MMDA enforcers will be placed in key areas in Metro Manila to guide motorists and facilitate the movement of the convoys.
Pialago said 2,000 of their personnel were deployed to assist in activities related to the SEA games, including the closing ceremonies.
"Hanggang Dec. 13 po iyon dahil may mga bisita pa po tayo na may lakad or may mga schedule pa po hanggang Dec. 13," she added. (They are deployed up to Dec. 13 because we have visitors who need to be taken around until then.)