The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is asking for motorists’ cooperation in the implementation of stop-and-go schemes and other traffic adjustments in Metro Manila as the Philippines hosts the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games from November 30 to December 11.
“We are on track with our traffic preparations. We ask for motorists’ and commuters’ cooperation in giving way to the convoys of the athletes and delegates participating in the event our country is hosting,” MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said in a statement.
The Philippines is hosting the biennial regional games, with multi-sports events to be held in various venues in Luzon including Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Subic, and Laguna.
No dedicated lanes will be assigned for SEA Games delegates but stop-and-go schemes will be implemented along EDSA and other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila to allow convoys of delegates, sports officials, athletes, spectators, and other guests to pass through from billeting hotels to the sports venues and other areas of engagements.
Convoy-carrying delegates will use the yellow lane, flyovers and underpasses while traveling along EDSA. Occasional traffic disruption and temporary stops are expected on roads and intersections where the convoys will pass.
Days before the event, arriving delegates will travel from the airport in Pasay City to their billeting hotels in the cities of Manila, Pasig, Makati, Pasay, Mandaluyong and Quezon City in Metro Manila and in areas in Central and Southern Luzon; and from the airport to the regional venues in Clark, Subic, and Southern Luzon.
The Sea Games opening ceremonies will be held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on November 30 where crowds are expected to watch the parade of delegations. On this day, delegates will start travelling from Metro Manila to the Philippine Arena.
Point-to-point buses have been designated to transport spectators and guests to the Philippine arena to avoid traffic congestion.
MMDA and the Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit will also implement road closure, with the following roads closed starting 12:01 a.m. on November 30 up to December 11.
- Along Adriatico – from President Quirino to P. Ocampo (both bound directions)
- Along P. Ocampo – from Taft Avenue to Adriatico (westbound direction only)
Motorists are advised to use alternative routes:
- All vehicles coming from Taft Avenue going westbound lane of President Quirino intending to turn left Adriatico Street shall go straight to Roxas Boulevard or Mabini Street to point of destination.
- All vehicles coming from Taft Avenue intending to use westbound lane of P. Ocampo shall use Menlo Street then Donada to destination.
- All vehicles coming from Roxas or FB Harrison utilizing eastbound lane of P. Ocampo intending to utilize Adriatico Street shall go straight to Taft Avenue to point of destination.
- All vehicles coming from Roxas or FB Harrison utilizing eastbound lane of President Quirino intending to utilize Adriatico Street shall go straight to Taft Avenue to point of destination.
The agency will deploy 2,000 traffic personnel in key areas of the metropolis to help manage traffic flow. On EDSA alone, 122 traffic enforcers will be deployed every 100 meters.
“A no-day off, no absent policy will be enforced among assigned traffic enforcers from November 30 to December 11,” Lim said.
MMDA said delays should be expected on roads leading to sports and non-sports venues within Metro Manila: 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.
The agency will provide motorcycle and mobile car escorts, ambulances, and tow trucks as well as monitor road activities during the SEA Games.
Tollway operator NLEX Corp., which operates North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), earlier said there will be no truck ban along NLEX during the opening ceremonies on November 30.
The toll road operator said NLEX traffic management teams are ready to assist in traffic rerouting for those affected by the truck ban to be imposed in the Bulacan municipalities of Bocaue, Marilao, and Sta. Maria from November 29 to 30.
From December 1 to 11, official SEA Games vehicles and convoys will be directed to their assigned toll lanes in Clark South, Clark North, Bamban, San Miguel (Hacienda Luisita), and Tipo toll plazas.
Patrol crews and emergency response teams will remain on heightened alert for all the 30 sporting events that will be held in Clark, Tarlac, and Subic.
The closing ceremonies will be conducted at the Athletics Stadium in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.