The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deploy more than 1,354 of its personnel to implement the traffic rerouting plan for the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 24, at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. MMDA Acting Chairman Don Artes said their personnel were instructed to conduct road and sidewalk clearing operations before the SONA and to manage both vehicular and pedestrian traffic on Monday.  He added that MMDA personnel will also assist in emergency response, crowd control and  traffic monitoring, as well as the monitoring of the transport strike.  "Preparations are in full swing for us to ensure that traffic will be orderly along Commonwealth Avenue, IBP Road, and all other thoroughfares surrounding the House of Representatives. SONA-related activities,” said Artes. Artes said he already issued a memorandum for all MMDA personnel to refrain from availing of day-off to ensure 100 percent attendance for personnel assigned at SONA. Ambulances, tow trucks, mobile patrol units, motorcycle units, and flood mitigation equipment, among others, will also be dispatched at designated routes and staging areas. As part of the traffic management plan, Artes said the MMDA shall implement a zipper lane or counterflow on the southbound portions of Commonwealth Avenue to give way to vehicles of government officials and guests going to the complex as needed. Motorists, he said, are advised to take alternate routes to avoid the expected heavy traffic along Commonwealth Avenue and in the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex during the SONA. Heads up motorists! Northbound (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview) •        Vehicles from Elliptical Road should take North Avenue, right turn at Mindanao Avenue, then right turn to Sauyo Road or take Quirino Highway to reach the point of destination.                                                             photo: MMDA
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. Northbound (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview via Marikina) •        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. For trucks:  •        All trucks coming from C-5 along Katipunan Avenue should take Luzon Flyover then turn left at Congressional Avenue to reach the point of destination.                                                         photo: MMDA
Clearing and barriers  In coordination with the Quezon City government, Artes said the MMDA will conduct clearing operations to remove all types of road obstructions, including illegally parked vehicles, to ensure that alternate routes are passable. “Traffic advisory signage will be installed along alternate routes to serve as a guide for motorists and audiovisual trucks along strategic locations showing the policy programs of the MMDA and the live speech of the President will also be deployed,” said Artes. He said plastic barriers and traffic cones will also be put up along zipper lanes and affected roads.