The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will temporarily implement a modified truck ban along the South route from November 17 to 20 to give way to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit being hosted by the Philippines.
MMDA officer-in-charge Emerson Carlos in a statement said the modified truck ban hour is from 6am to 10 pm and will complement the total closure of both lanes of Roxas Boulevard for the same dates.
The scheme was unanimously approved during a Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting held at the MMDA office on October 21. The MMC is the policy-making body of MMDA.
The regular truck ban hours, from 6am to 10am and from 5pm to 10pm, will be reinstated immediately after the APEC Summit.
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“This will assure the efficient mobility of the APEC delegates in our major thoroughfares, especially in Manila, Pasay and Makati areas where the summit’s major events will take place,” Carlos said.
Affected trucks can use the following alternate route from South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)/Cavite Area to Port Area (and vice versa): From Port of Manila Straight to R10, right at C3, left at A. Bonifacio Avenue take right turning flyover toward Quirino highway, right at Mindanao Ave., left at Congressional Ave., right at Luzon Ave. straight to Katipunan/C5 to (SLEX/MCX) destination (vice versa).
MMDA noted that the APEC Summit, to be attended by world leaders, is an important platform to showcase Metropolitan Manila and the Philippines as a viable economic, financial, and investment hub for foreign visitors.
The government, as part of its preparations for the smooth holding of the event, already declared November 18 and November 19 as non-working holidays in the National Capital Region, while government offices in Metro Manila are likewise suspended on November 17 and November 20. Hundreds of domestic and international flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport will also be cancelled in November, as the runways will be closed periodically and temporarily for security reasons during the APEC summit.
