The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be deploying a total of 1,329 of its personnel to the traffic management plan which the agency completed for the July 22 State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

MMDA acting chairman Don Artes said they have also coordinated with various government agencies for additional manpower for the management of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic and providing assistance in emergency response.

He said all MMDA personnel were tasked to conduct rounds of road and sidewalk clearing operations on the days leading to the July 22 SONA.

“The MMDA is 100 percent ready for PBBM’s SONA. We will implement a ‘no day off, no absent’ policy among the assigned personnel to ensure the effective delegation of functions during the conduct of SONA,” said Artes.

As part of its traffic management plan, Artes said they will 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 Batasang Pambansa Complex.

Batasan-IBP Road, meanwhile, will be closed to vehicular traffic at 8 a.m. onwards as part of security measures.

“Motorists are advised to take alternate routes to avoid the anticipated heavy traffic along Commonwealth Avenue and in the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex, especially at about 3 p.m. when dignitaries start arriving,” said Artes.

Alternate routes

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.

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.

For light vehicles from C5 Road, they are advised to 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 from C-5 along Katipunan Avenue, they should take Luzon Flyover then turn left at Congressional Avenue to reach the point of destination.

Command Center

Artes said an MMDA Mobile Command Center, equipped with CCTV monitors, will be deployed at Batasan corner Commonwealth area.

He said SONA protest actions will be monitored at the newly enhanced MMDA Communications and Command Center located in Pasig City.

“Ambulances, tow trucks, mobile patrol units, motorcycle units, and flood mitigation equipment, among others, will also be dispatched at designated routes and staging areas,” said Artes.

Traffic advisory signage will be installed along alternate routes to serve as a guide for motorists. Plastic barriers and traffic cones will also be put up along zipper lanes and affected roads,” he added.

Artes said the traffic flow is expected to ease within the vicinity of Batasang Pambansa after the President has delivered his SONA.