The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is now gearing up in connection with the 30th Southeast Asian Games to be hosted by the Philippines from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.
Chairman Danilo Lim said his agency would deploy 2,000 personnel in key areas in the metropolis to supervise and help manage the traffic flow and provide assistance during the event.
He said the MMDA shall provide personnel and equipment along designated routes for seamless movement of delegates from airport to billeting hotels, sports venues and other engagement areas at the least inconvenience to the general public.
“Aside from deployment of traffic personnel to strategic areas, we shall provide motorcycle and mobile car escorts, ambulances, tow trucks as well as monitoring of road activities during the SEA Games,” said Lim.
The 12-day event, according to Lim, is expected to gather thousands of athletes, sports officials, coaches, spectators and guests at sports and non-sports venues within Metro Manila.
Among the venues include the 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.
To give way to the convoy of vehicles going to and from the said venues, stop-and-go traffic schemes will be implemented along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue and other major roads and intersections to facilitate the fast movement of the delegates.
A temporary stop of traffic will also be observed as delegates’ convoy passes through roads and intersections.
Occasional traffic disruptions also might be experienced on both directions of EDSA. On northbound, affected areas are: Roxas Blvd., Taft Avenue, Ayala, Buendia, Shaw Boulevard, Megamall, Santolan, SM North, Muñoz and Balintawak. On southbound, affected portions are Balintawak, Munoz, SM North, Cubao, Santolan, Ortigas, Shaw Boulevard, Boni Serrano, Buendia corner Macapagal, Ayala Magallanes, and Roxas Blvd.
Convoy carrying delegates will use the yellow lane, flyover and underpasses while traveling along EDSA.
The MMDA also identified chokepoint areas: These are SLEX Northbound; Mindanao Avenue- North Ave to NLEX in Quezon City; Roxas Blvd corner Buendia, Roxas Blvd corner P. Ocampo, Roxas Blvd P. Burgos, Taft Avenue corner P. Ocampo, Adriatico RMSC Area, Quirino corner Adriatico, in Manila City; Shaw Boulevard corner Pioneer in Pasig City; N. Domingo-FilOil in San Juan City; and Lawton Avenue corner Bayani Road in Taguig.
To maximize road space for all road users, Lim said traffic personnel has started conducting clearing operations of all obstructions and eyesores along the routes with the assistance of the Philippine National Police and concerned Metro local government units starting this week towards the event.
Other SEA Games Clusters where traffic congestion is expected are Clark, Subic, Southern Luzon and others. The MMDA’s preparation is in coordination with the Philippine Sea Games Organizing Committee, Philippine National Police, local government units, government agencies, and stakeholders.