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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider MMDA irons out traffic preparations for Marcos' 4th SONA

MMDA irons out traffic preparations for Marcos' 4th SONA

Published Jul 25, 2025 04:41 pm
MMDA Chairman Don Artes (Courtesy of MMDA)
MMDA Chairman Don Artes (Courtesy of MMDA)
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is prepared to ensure the seamless flow of traffic for the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 28.
In an advisory on Friday, July 25, MMDA Acting Chairman Don Artes said the agency will open a zipper lane or counterflow along Elliptical corner Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to ease traffic for government officials and guests going to the SONA venue at Batasang Pambansa.
The MMDA advised motorists to take alternate routes to avoid the anticipated heavy traffic along Commonwealth Avenue and IBP Road.
The alternate routes are:
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.
Meanwhile, light vehicles from C5 Road may turn left at Magiting Street, turn right at Maginhawa Street, and turn left at Mayaman Street to Kalayaan Avenue to reach the point of destination.
All trucks coming from C-5 along Katipunan Avenue should also take the Luzon Flyover then turn left at Congressional Avenue to reach the point of destination.
Artes said 1,329 personnel from various units will be deployed to man and manage both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, respond to emergencies, clear roads, and assist in crowd control.
He said the MMDA will also implement a “no dayoff, no absent” policy for its field traffic personnel, ensuring that all manpower is prepared for mobilization.
The MMDA chief added that ambulances, tow trucks, fire trucks, mobile patrol units, motorcycle units, flood mitigation equipment, and other resources will also be deployed at designated routes and staging areas.
“Traffic advisory signage will be put along alternate routes to guide motorists. Plastic barriers and traffic cones will also be installed along zipper lanes and affected roads,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the MMDA mobile command center will also be stationed at Batasan corner Commonwealth area for easier monitoring of traffic and response to emergencies. The command center is equipped with CCTV monitors.
A separate MMDA communications and command center in Pasig City will be used to observe protest actions on the ground.
Artes said the MMDA Special Operations Group-Task Force conducted road and sidewalk clearing operations in the vicinity of Batasang Pambansa Complex to free the area of illegally-parked vehicles and sidewalk vendors.
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