An inter-agency task force on Monday stepped up its campaign to rid Edsa and other major roads of obstructions as part of the efforts to ease traffic during the Philippines’ hosting of the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation summit from Nov. 18-19.
Traffic will be rerouted in some parts of Metro Manila while special Apec lanes will be set up along Edsa and Roxas Boulevard for five days from Nov. 16, according to Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda.
The Metro Manila Development Authority, for its part, has begun impounding illegally-parked vehicles with the arrest of 99 drivers and 13 autos, according to MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos.
The traffic campaign covers the 23.8-kilometer Edsa and 21 secondary roads in the metropolis, Carlos added.
Carlos said the secondary roads will be used as Mabuhay Lanes, or alternate routes for private motorists to avoid Edsa (north and southbound directions).
The task force is composed of government personnel from MMDA, local government units, National Police-Highway Patrol Group, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Land Transportation Office.
Highway Patrol Group commander Chief Supt. Arnold Gunnacao said the no-parking zone in all Mabuhay Lanes will be enforced.
On Edsa, only Apec vehicles will be allowed on the innermost two lanes of both the northbound and southbound sides.
All other lanes, however, will remain open for non-Apec vehicles.
Only Apec vehicles will be allowed on the southbound side of Roxas Boulevard while the entire northbound side—which will be made two-way—will remain open for non-Apec vehicles.
In the interest of security, certain roads around the CCP Complex Area and MOA Arena Area will also be closed to traffic, Lacierda said.
In addition, from Nov. 16 to 20, there will be a daytime truck ban along the South Truck Route.
Trucks will only be allowed to use the route from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Roxas Boulevard, however, will remain under a 24-hour truck ban.
The full list of road advisories, including infographics and alternate routes, is available on the Apec Philippines website, apec2015.ph.
The page also contains a reminder that security will be tight at all Naia Terminals on Nov. 17, 19, and 20, and that a no-fly zone will be enforced on these dates.
Travelers are advised to take note of these advisories and plan their trips accordingly.
“We are hoping for the public’s understanding. These changes are necessary to ensure the security of our Apec visitors, and to decongest their routes as they travel between venues,” Lacierda said.
“Again, we wish to emphasize that the Philippines stands to reap many benefits from this hosting, which has already boosted our reputation as a prime tourism and business destination,” said Lacierda.