MANILA, July 24 — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has deployed 1,245 personnel for the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), MMDA Director for Traffic Enforcement and Operations Roy Taguinod said 645 traffic enforcers were deployed along Commonwealth Avenue going to the Batasang Pambansa Complex.
The rest were assigned to clear roads leading to the Batasan complex.
“We expect traffic build-up within the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex and Commonwealth Avenue because of the influx of visitors and militant groups that will stage their rallies before and after the President’s SONA,” Taguinod said.
The Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) were also stationed in the Commonwealth Avenue to assist motorists in the rerouting of vehicles.
Furthermore, MMDA personnel were also deployed in major roads of Quezon City because of the transport strike by militant group PISTON in protest of the jeepney modernization program.
Elements of the PNP, AFP Joint Task Force- National Capital Region and traffic enforcers of the Quezon City local government were also deployed within Batasan to ensure security.
“Everyone is doing their part to ensure order for this SONA,” Taguinod said.
The MMDA has earlier released its traffic rerouting plan for this year’s SONA.
In its traffic advisory, the MMDA urged motorists to take the following alternate routes:
From Commonwealth Avenue (west bound), turn right at Fairlane, Right at Dalia, then left at Chestnut then straight to Sauyo Road to Mindanao Avenue to destination (vice versa).
From SM Fairview/ Robinson’s take Quirino Highway, straight to Mindanao Avenue to destination.
Fairview/Mindanao Avenue, right at Jordan Plains straight to Quirino Highway to Mindanao Avenue to destination. (Aerol B.Patena/PNA)
