The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Friday proposed a ban on mall sales, class suspension, and partial road closures in areas around the venues of the upcoming Southeast Asian Games 2019 (SEA Games) in Metro Manila.
In a radio interview, MMDA spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Celine Pialago said they submitted a recommendation to Malacañang to implement a partial road closure on M. Adriatico St. and P. Ocampo St. in Manila starting Nov. 30, the official opening day of the SEA Games.
“Magkakaroon din po ng road closure–portion lang, dito po sa part ng Adriatico at saka P. Ocampo. Kasi sir, marami din pong event dito sa Rizal Memorial Stadium natin (There will be a road closure—but only a portion, in the parts of Adriatico and P. Ocampo. Because there are many events at the Rizal Memorial Stadium),” Pialago said.
Routes to be used by athletes, visitors, and other VIPs during the games will have a “stop-and-go” scheme—a temporary stop in traffic for delegates to pass through roads and intersections—instead of the previous “special lanes” or exclusive lanes for visiting leaders and diplomats during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in 2017, she said.
“Stop-and-go scheme po tayo. Nag-aalala kasi mga motorista natin kung magkakaroon ng special lane—wala sir, stop-and-go (We’ll have a stop-and-go scheme. Because motorists are worried there’ll be a special lane—there won’t be, just stop-and-go),” Pialago said.
She added that the MMDA’s 2,000 traffic enforcers and motorcycle units would be ready to support and ensure a smooth flow of traffic during the sporting event.
Six schools within SEA Games hotspots, mainly those surrounding the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, may have its classes suspended from December 2 to December 6 following another recommendation sent by the MMDA to Malacañang.
“Yung week kasi na 'yun 'yung pinaka-busy talaga. 'Yun po 'yung may pinaka-marami na laro at matatamaan talaga ang Metro Manila (It’s that week because that’s the busiest point. That’s the time with the greatest number of games and will affect Metro Manila the most),” Pialago said.
She said the MMDA also recommended the temporary ban on promotional sales in malls along the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa), other SEA Games routes and those surrounding hotels of athletes and sports venues during the biennial sports meet.
Starting next week, Pialago said the MMDA will announce the routes, areas affected, and alternate routes during the event.
Once the MMDA receives a more detailed schedule of the SEA Games, the agency will make daily announcements to allow motorists to plan their routes ahead—whether they wish to watch the games or avoid the affected areas.