The Metro Manila Development Authority has announced it will lead a simulation exercise of the 30th Southeast Asian Games opening ceremony on Thursday on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue and other major roads in the metropolis.
MMDA spokesperson Pircelyn Pialago said convoys would be coming from various hotels within the metropolis and other parts of Southern Luzon, Metro Manila, Clark, and Subic.
She added the yellow lane on Edsa would be utilized by the convoys going to the Philippine Arena, the venue of the opening ceremony of SEA Games 2019 on Nov. 30 and will have the closing ceremonies on Dec 11.
“Stop-and-go traffic scheme will also be implemented during the dry run,” said Pialago.
MMDA chairman Danilo Lim has ordered the deployment of 2,000 personnel in key areas in the metropolis to supervise and help manage the traffic flow, and provide assistance during the event.
He said the MMDA shall provide personnel and equipment along designated routes for seamless movement of delegates from airport to billeting hotels, sports venues and other engagement areas at the least inconvenience to the general public.
“Aside from deployment of traffic personnel to strategic areas, we shall provide motorcycle and mobile car escorts, ambulances, tow trucks as well as monitoring of road activities during the SEA Games,” said Lim.
The 12-day event, according to Lim, is expected to gather thousands of athletes, sports officials, coaches, spectators and guests at sports and non-sports venues within Metro Manila.
Among the venues include the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Cuneta Astrodome, SM Mall of Asia Arena, SM MOA Skating Rink, World Trade Center, Philippine International Convention Center Forum, SM Megamall, Filoil Flying V Centre, Filinvest City, University of the Philippines Diliman Gym, Marine Corps, Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Starmall Edsa, Makati Coliseum, Manila Hotel tent, SM Megamall Ice Rink, World Trade Center, Philsports Arena, Amoranto Sports Complex and Manila Polo Club.
A temporary stop of traffic will also be observed as delegates’ convoy passes through roads and intersections.
Occasional traffic disruptions also might be experienced on both directions of Edsa.
On northbound, affected areas are: Roxas Blvd., Taft Avenue, Ayala, Buendia, Shaw Boulevard, Megamall, Santolan, SM North, Munoz and Balintawak. On southbound, affected portions are Balintawak, Munoz, SM North, Cubao, Santolan, Ortigas, Shaw Boulevard, Boni Serrano, Buendia corner Macapagal, Ayala Magallanes, and Roxas Blvd.
The MMDA also identified chokepoint areas: These are SLEX Northbound; Mindanao Avenue- North Ave to NLEX in Quezon City; Roxas Blvd. corner Buendia, Roxas Blvd. corner P. Ocampo, Roxas Blvd P. Burgos, Taft Avenue corner P. Ocampo, Adriatico RMSC Area, Quirino corner Adriatico, in Manila City; Shaw Boulevard corner Pioneer in Pasig City; N. Domingo-FilOil in San Juan City; and Lawton Avenue corner Bayani Road in Taguig.
To maximize road space for all road users, Lim said traffic personnel has started conducting clearing operations of all obstructions and eyesores along the routes with the assistance of the Philippine National Police and concerned Metro local government units starting this week towards the event.
Other SEA Games Clusters where traffic congestion is expected are Clark, Subic, Southern Luzon and others. The MMDA’s preparation is in coordination with the Philippine Sea Games Organizing Committee, Philippine National Police, local government units, government agencies and stakeholders.
