The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is set to implement a moratorium on road works in some major streets in the National Capital Region to ease traffic during the hosting of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in the country from Aug. 17 to Sept. 10.
The moratorium covers the areas of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue from Monumento to SM Mall of Asia; Kalayaan Avenue, C5 Road to EDSA; Diokno Boulevard; Pablo Ocampo Street, Taft Avenue to Roxas Boulevard; NIA Road to United Nations Avenue; Meralco Avenue; Ortigas Avenue, EDSA to C5 Road, and EDSA North Avenue to Agham Road.
“As part of the preparations for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, road works (reblocking, utility works, pipe laying, road upgrading, excavation works) in Metro Manila are temporarily suspended effective midnight of August 17 (Thursday) up to midnight of September 10 (Sunday),” the MMDA stated in its Memorandum Circular No. 7, s. 2023.
The MMDA also prohibited the conduct of mall-wide sales along EDSA and other areas affected by the FIBA World Cup 2023 “to ensure that all affected roads will remain passable, clean, safe, and serviceable to all types of vehicles and pedestrians during the said period.”
The memorandum circular, signed by MMDA Acting Chairman Don Artes, was issued to all concerned offices, Department of Public Works and Highways-NCR Engineering Districts, local government units, utility companies, contractors, and shopping mall operators.
In a recent meeting with MMDA officials, mall and shopping center operators agreed with the agency’s proposal not to conduct mall sales from Aug. 17 to Sept. 10.
“The postponement of mall sales is for the smooth flow of traffic on EDSA where FIBA delegates and players will pass to the playing venues,” said Artes.
The mall operators agreed to be very cooperative with the agency’s request. Traditionally, the MMDA implements the road digging moratorium and mall sales from November until January to provide relief to commuters and motorists during the Christmas season when traffic is expected to be heavy.
The agency implements a moratorium on road diggings, except for the government’s flagship projects, as part of the MMDA’s traffic mitigation measures for the holidays.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will take place in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10. The 32 participating teams will play in 92 games played over 16 days.
The basketball team of the Philippines was lined up in Group A to start things off in the World Cup along with Angola, Dominican Republic, and Italy.
