MMDA to form traffic task force for 'Bourne Legacy'

MANILA, Philippines - The task force created by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to direct traffic away from streets where shooting for the “Bourne Legacy” will take place will start work on Tuesday, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said yesterday.

Tolentino said most of the scenes in the movie will be shot in Manila. Some will be shot at night and very early in the morning.

“There will also be a scene featuring Manila’s famous sunset,” he said.

The MMDA said the Manila scenes will be shot from Jan. 11 to 15 on San Andres Street; Jan. 18 to 19 on J. Bocobo St. corner Remedios Circle; Jan. 15 on Leveriza Street; Jan. 14 on San Andres corner Qurino and Taft Avenues; Jan. 25 on Riverside Road, Real and Sta. Lucia streets in Inramuros; Feb. 17 to 18 on Jones Bridge; and Feb. 8 to 15 on Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard (Sta. Mesa).

Some scenes will also be shot at the Remedios Circle in Malate from Jan. 18 to 19.

Tolentino said the task force would pay extra attention to traffic at the EDSA-Taft Avenue area in Pasay City where a car chase scene is expected to be shot. He said some scenes would also be shot on Ayala Avenue in Makati City, at the Marikina City public market, and at the Navotas Fish Port.

Tolentino said he would personally announce the traffic rerouting around the shooting locations. Yesterday, he declined to announce the time of the shoots.

“I cannot say that at the moment for security reasons,” he said.

Tolentino verified reports that members of the movie’s production crew are already in Metro Manila to prepare for the shoot but refused to say if the movie cast, led by Jeremy Renner, are already in town.

“I cannot reveal that also for security reasons,” he said.

Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit chief Superintendent Reynaldo Nava said “there is no request yet” for closure of streets. – With Nestor Etolle