MMDA to deploy 1,200 personnel for SONA

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be deploy 1,200 personnel to assist in traffic management and crowd control along the roads leading to the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City where President Benigno S. Aquino III will deliver his fourth State of The Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations Emerson Carlos said they will deploy members of the agency's traffic management, crowd control, rescue and sidewalk clearing units.

Carlos said a bulk of the MMDA personnel will be stationed along the Commonwealth Avenue which leads to the Batasang Pambansa complex.

Carlos again reminded motorists that like in the previous SONAs, some portions of the Commonwealth Avenue will be closed to traffic on Monday, he advised that motorists take the alternate routes.

Carlos also clarified that as the SONA is not a public holiday, the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the “number-coding” scheme will not be lifted on Monday (July 22).

He added that emergency personnel will also be put on standby. The MMDa will also be deploying fire trucks and ambulances along Commonwealth Avenue.

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will place all its forces on full alert status starting this Friday as part of its security preparations for the SONA.