The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has released details of alternate routes that motorists may take in light of the President Duterte's upcoming sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 26.
Despite the persisting coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Duterte will once again follow tradition and deliver his speech at the Batasang Pambansa Complex along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
“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,” MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said in a statement Friday afternoon, July 23.
Motorists were advised to take the following alternate routes to avoid the expected heavy traffic along Commonwealth Avenue during the event:
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
Motorists may also opt to take:
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:
C-5 left turn to Magiting, right turn to Maginhawa, left to Mayaman, Kalayaan to destination.
For trucks:
Katipunan/C-5, C-5/Luzon, Congressional Ave. to destination.
The MMDA will open zipper lanes and allow counterflow of vehicles along Commonwealth Avenue at the U.P. Techno Hub and Tandang Sora areas to accommodate the volume of vehicles on the northbound lane.
To guide the motorists on the use of zipper lanes, plastic barriers and traffic cones shall be installed.
Ambulances, tow trucks, military trucks, and other resources will be placed on standby in case of any untoward incident that may happen.
Ahead of the SONA, the MMDA will conduct clearing operations to remove illegally-parked vehicles and other road obstructions at the following areas: Batasan Hills, Litex Road, Tandang Sora, Visayas Ave, Congressional Avenue, C-5 Road, Magiting, Maginhawa, Mayaman and Kalayaan.