Quezon City reroutes traffic for SONA

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has released the traffic rerouting plan for the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos on July 22.

In an advisory, the city government said a zipper lane or counterflow would be implemented at the southbound portion of Commonwealth Avenue to give way to the vehicles of officials and other visitors who will attend Marcos’ third SONA at the Batasang Pambansa complex.

The Batasan-IBP Road, meanwhile, will be closed to vehicles starting at 8 a.m. on July 22 as part of security measures.

“Motorists are advised to use alternative routes given the expected heavy traffic along Commonwealth Avenue and around Batasang Pambansa complex,” the advisory added.

Alternate routes include Quirino Highway as well as Mindanao and North Avenues for those going to and from Fairview and Katipunan Avenue, Luzon flyover and Congressional Avenue for those coming from C5 Road.

The rerouting will be implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority along with Task Force SONA 2024, Philippine National Police, Quezon City Police District, Presidential Security Group and the QC Transport and Traffic Management.

Mayor Joy Belmonte urged both pro- and anti-administration demonstrators to coordinate with the city’s Department of Public Order and Safety to secure necessary permits for their rallies.

“Quezon City remains a bastion of democracy and free speech as we uphold every Filipino’s right to peacefully assemble. However, all rallyists are encouraged to police their ranks and mandated to follow the law,” she said.