MMDA to deploy 2,504 traffic and emergency personnel for APEC

MANILA, Philippines - Some 2,504 traffic and emergency personnel would be deployed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to secure the delegates to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meet to be held in Manila from November 17 to 19.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino told reporters on Tuesday that as part of the preparations, the MMDA was assured by the Department of Public Works and Highways that the repair on the Ayala Bridge will be completed by November 15.

“Nag-agree ‘yung DPWH and French contractors to finish the Ayala Bridge by November 15. Nagkaintindihan na kahapon. Meron lang gagawin sa ilalim,” said Tolentino.

Tolentino added that as part of the APEC preparations, EDSA would have the two inner lanes in both directions from Shaw Boulevard to the Mall of Asia area for the exclusive use of the APEC delegates and their staff.

The exclusive lanes according to Tolentino will be separated from the other lanes of EDSA by plastic barricades.

According to Tolentino, the exclusive EDSA lanes are only until Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong as some of the APEC delegates would be staying in hotels at the nearby Ortigas business district.

Tolentino added that exclusive “APEC lanes” would also be created on the southbound direction of Roxas Boulevard for the use of the 21 delegates to the APEC meet and their respective staff.

“We will have APEC lanes along Roxas Boulevard, the entire southbound. Yung northbound salubungan yun,” he said.

As part of the preparations for the APEC, Tolentino said construction works on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) elevated expressway would be suspended two days before the start of the APEC meetings in Manila.