MANILA, Nov. 10 (PNA) – Only a week before the special event the country is hosting, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday announced the road closure in some areas in Manila during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting from November 16 at 12:01 a.m. to November 20 at 12 midnight.
Roads to be closed include:
-Stretch of Roxas Boulevard north and southbound lanes from Katigbak to P. Ocampo;
-Stretch of Roxas Boulevard service road from Sta.Monica St. to P. Ocampo;
-Stretch of Quirino Ave., from Roxas Blvd to Adriatico;
-Stretch of Century Park St. from Adriatico to Mabini St.;
-Stretch of Mabini St. from P. Ocampo to Quirino Ave.;
-Southbound lane of Adriatico from Quirino Ave. to Century Park St.;
-Stretch of P. Ocampo from Adriatico to Roxas Blvd.;
-Stretch of MH del Pilar St. from Sta. Monica St. to Malvar St.;
-Stretch of Pedro Gil St., from Roxas Blvd to Mabini St.
Motorists are advised to take the following alternate routes:
– All vehicles coming from northern part of Manila/Pier Zone intending to utilize the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard shall turn left to P. Burgos right to Ma. Orosa, or Taft Avenue to point of destination.
– All vehicles coming from southern part of Manila intending to utilize the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard shall turn right to Buendia, turn left to Taft Ave. to point of destination.
– All vehicles utilizing P. Ocampo coming from Taft Ave. shall turn right to Adriatico, turn right to Leveriza to Quirino Avenue to point of destination.
– All vehicles travelling westbound lane of Pres. Quirino coming from Osmena Highway (Plaza Dilao) area going to Roxas Blvd. shall turn right or left to Taft Ave. to point of destination;
– All vehicles coming from Del Pilar St. intending to utilize Roxas Blvd shall left to Quirino Avenue going to Taft Avenue to their point of destination.
The MMDA also imposed no parking scheme along Roxas Boulevard, service road from T.M. Kalaw to President Quirino.
MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos said plastic barriers have already been lined up along Edsa.
“Nilagay na namin para madali lang iusog. Two innermost lanes along Edsa’s south and northbound have been designated as APEC lanes. Only authorized vehicles of delegates and forces will be allowed to enter,” said Carlos.
He said warning signs and markings have already been installed to guide motorists along areas, warning the public to stay away from places and thoroughfares where the APEC delegates will traverse.
“If you have nothing important to do, iwasan na nating pumunta,” said Carlos.
Aside from Edsa and Roxas Boulevard, several roads will be closed to vehicular traffic to make way for the delegates that will attend the leaders meeting in Manila.
There will be road closures in the Mall of Asia Arena from November 18 starting 6 am until midnight and in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) from November 16 to 20.
Road closures in the Mall of Asia will be from Nov. 18 at 6 a.m. until midnight are the following:
1. Diokno corner Seaside Blvd.
2. Coral Way corner Seaside Blvd.
3. EDSA corner Macapagal
4. Macapagal corner Coral Way
5. Diokno corner Aseana
6. Macapagal corner Bradco
Roads closes at CCP area will be from Nov. 16- 20, 2015 are the following:
1. Vicente Sotto Street
2. Bukaneg Street
3. J. W. Diokno Boulevard Bridge
4. Buendia Ave., Ext.
M. Jalandoni Street
The agency said motorists may use the Mabuhay lanes, which authorities, are clearing right now.
Emmanuel Miro, MMDA’s Task Force APEC head, advised motorists not to enter the APEC lanes as only delegates and authorized vehicles are allowed to enter them.
Carlos also said that the number-coding scheme will still be implemented during the four-day APEC summit next week.
This despite Malacañang declared November 18 and 19 as special non-working holidays.
Carlos said they need to further decongest Metro Manila thoroughfares during the APEC meet.
He said the “number-coding” scheme will still take effect from November 16 to 20 to decongest the metropolis.
“Iniiwasan po natin ‘yung pagdami ng sasakyan sa mga araw na ito (We try to prevent the congestion of vehicles during these days),” Carlos said.
Because of this, Carlos appealed to motorists to cooperate for the successful holding of APEC summit.
For truckers, a daytime truck ban rule will be enforced along south truck routes. Truck drivers will only be allowed to use the route from 10 pm to 6 am. expect on Roxas Boulevard where a 24-truck ban from November 17 to 20.
Carlos said the Task Force Phantom, composed of motorcycle riding traffic enforcers and Highway Patrol Group, will also serve as motorcycle escorts for the convoys of the delegates. (PNA)