QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) presented a traffic management plan to be implemented during the conduct of the 2nd State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 24 in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. 

The major part of the plan is to open a zipper or counterflow lane along the southbound portions of Commonwealth Avenue for the use of government vehicles that will transport officials and guests attending the event. 

Alternate routes have also been identified for motorists in order to mitigate the possibility of a traffic buildup within the vicinity of Commonwealth Avenue and Batasang Pambansa Complex during the SONA. 

Motorists going northbound (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview) are advised to make a right turn at Mindanao Avenue and take Quirino Highway or make another right turn to Sauyo Road to reach the point of destination. 

Meanwhile, light vehicles from C-5 road can reroute by turning left at Magiting St., turning right at Maginhawa St., and making another left turn at Mayaman St., to Kalayaan Avenue for destinations traversing the Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview via Marikina. 

All trucks coming from C-5 along Katipunan Avenue are also advised to take the Luzon Flyover and make a left turn at Congressional Avenue in order to avoid delays. 

On the other hand, those vehicles that will traverse the southbound area (Fairview to Quezon Memorial Circle) are instructed to either take the Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway, make a left turn at Mindanao Avenue, and another left turn upon reaching North Avenue.

A total of 1,354 personnel will be deployed to the vicinity while the President delivers his address. Among their primary roles are to manage the flow of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, conduct clearing operations to ensure the passability of alternate routes, and assist in emergency response and crowd control as needed. 

They are also tasked to support the operations of the Task Force SONA 2023 composed of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Presidential Security Group (PSG), and the local government of Quezon City for an orderly conduct of the 2nd SONA. 

A “no day off, no absent” policy will also be implemented among the assigned personnel to ensure the effective delegation of functions during the SONA. The MMDA likewise expressed plans to dispatch ambulances, tow trucks, mobile patrol vehicles, motorcycle units, and flood mitigation equipment at the designated routes as well as staging areas for safety and security purposes.  

Aside from plastic barriers, traffic cones, and advisory signages along the alternate routes, a set of audiovisual trucks will also be deployed featuring the policy programs of the MMDA and the live speech of the President. 

"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 as well as transport strike will be monitored at the newly inaugurated MMDA Communications and Command Center," said MMDA Acting Chairperson Atty Don Artes. (MMDA/PIA-NCR)