MMDA announces traffic rerouting scheme for SONA 2023

Portions of Commonwealth will have counterflow and zipper lanes

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to hold his second State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 24, 2023. Considering the number of security measures that will be implemented to safeguard the President, motorists should expect heavy traffic on the roads leading to and from the Batasang Pambansa Complex.

As such, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced its traffic management plan prior to the country's chief executive speech at Batasang Pambansa. MMDA will implement a zipper lane or counterflow on the southbound portions of Commonwealth Avenue to give way to vehicles of government officials and guests going to the complex as needed.

To avoid heavy traffic in the area, motorists are advised to take these alternate routes:

NORTHBOUND (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview)

• Vehicles from Elliptical Road should take North Avenue, right turn at Mindanao Avenue, then right turn to Sauyo Road, or take Quirino Highway to reach the point of destination.

SOUTHBOUND (Fairview to Quezon Memorial Circle)

• Vehicles from Commonwealth Avenue should take Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway, turn left at Mindanao Avenue, then turn left at North Avenue to reach the point of destination.

NORTHBOUND (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview via Marikina)

• Light vehicles from C5 Road may turn left at Magiting St., turn right at Maginhawa St., turn left at Mayaman St. to Kalayaan Avenue to reach the point of destination.

FOR TRUCKS

• All trucks coming from C-5 along Katipunan Avenue should take Luzon Flyover then turn left at Congressional Avenue to reach the point of destination.

MMDA will be putting up traffic advisory signage along alternate routes to serve as a guide for motorists. Audiovisual trucks along strategic locations showing the policy programs of the MMDA and the live speech of the President will also be deployed.

According to MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, they will be deploying 1,354 personnel to manage both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, assist in emergency response, conduct road and sidewalk clearing operations, assist in crowd control, traffic monitoring, and support the operations of the Task Force SONA 2023, Philippine National Police, Quezon City Police District, Presidential Security Group, and Quezon City Government to ensure a peaceful and orderly SONA.

"Preparations are in full swing for us to ensure that traffic will be orderly along Commonwealth Avenue, IBP Road, and all other thoroughfares surrounding the House of Representatives. SONA-related activities as well as transport strikes will be monitored at the newly inaugurated MMDA Communications and Command Center," said Artes.