The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement a traffic management plan for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.
The agency will deploy 1,329 personnel to manage vehicular and pedestrian traffic, assist in emergency response, conduct road and sidewalk clearing operations, assist in crowd control, and monitor traffic.
MMDA chairman Romando Artes said his agency is fully prepared and has been working closely with the SONA Special Task Force, the Quezon City Police District, the Presidential Security Command, the House of Representatives, and the Quezon City government to ensure a safe, peaceful, and orderly event.
The MMDA will also implement a “no day off, no absent” policy among its personnel to ensure effective delegation of functions during the SONA.
As part of the traffic management plan, a zipper lane or counterflow will be implemented on the southbound portions of Commonwealth Avenue to allow easier access for vehicles of government officials and guests to enter the Batasang Pambansa Complex.
Meanwhile, Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is hands-on in his preparation for his third SONA.
The Presidential Communication Office (PCO) said the President was finalizing his speech on Wednesday as he had no prior engagements and commitments.
Earlier this week, the PCO said Malacañang’s official broadcasting arm, Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), will handle directorial duties for this year’s SONA.
Last year, RTVM also directed the President’s SONA.
Meanwhile, Marcos’ pre-SONA approval and trust ratings fell by two and five percentage points, respectively, according to Pulse Asia’s latest Ulat ng Bayan survey.
His approval rating dropped from 55 percent in March to 53 percent in June, while his trust rating declined from 57 percent to 52 percent. With Macon Ramos-Araneta
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “MMDA ready for SONA 2024”
