Quezon City orders half-day work for SONA

Traffic rerouted, classes suspended

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has ordered the early dismissal of workers in government offices while motorists planning to traverse Commonwealth Avenue have been advised to take alternate routes to give way for the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos at the Batasang Pambansa today.

In a memorandum issued on Saturday, Mayor Joy Belmonte said office hours in government offices should be until 12 noon today, except for departments involved in the delivery of essential services.

“Essential services, which include law enforcement, traffic management, fire protection, health and rescue, disaster response and management among others, shall remain uninterrupted,” the memorandum read.

In a separate executive order, Belmonte declared the suspension of classes in all levels in public and private schools in the city today in anticipation of traffic jams due to road closures.

Belmonte yesterday held a meeting with the members of the QC Law and Order Cluster to finalize the security preparations for the SONA.

The Quezon City Police District and QC Task Force on Transport and Traffic Management, in coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, will implement a traffic rerouting scheme along Commonwealth Avenue.

“The zipper lane from Tandang Sora to University Avenue will be closed today,” the advisory read.

Motorists coming from EDSA going to Fairview are advised to turn left at Mindanao Avenue or North Avenue heading to Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway to point of destination.

Motorists from EDSA should take Aurora Boulevard or the flyover going to A. Bonifacio, turn left at J.P. Rizal, left at Batasan-San Mateo Road to point of destination.

Motorists may also take Col. Bonny Serrano Avenue straight to Katipunan crossing, then FVR Road, turn left at SM Marikina, right at A. Bonifacio, left at J.P. Rizal, left at Batasan-San Mateo Road to their destination.

Motorists coming from C5 Road may turn right at FVR Road, left at SM Marikina, right at A. Bonifacio, left at J.P. Rizal, left at Batasan-San Mateo Road to point of destination.

“A portion of IBP Road corner Sinagtala Street up to Batasan-San Mateo Road will be closed to traffic,” the advisory read.

Motorists coming from Commonwealth Avenue are advised to take the IBP Road, turn right at Sinagtala street, left at Congressional Road, straight to Batasan-San Mateo Road to point of destination.

Motorists coming from Payatas should turn right at Batasan-San Mateo Road or Commonwealth Avenue.

SONA security

At least 22,000 police officers and force multipliers will be deployed along roads leading to the Batasang Pambansa to secure President Marcos’ SONA.

Philippine National Police director for operations Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon said the PNP is all set for the event.

“Proper coordination has been made with different government agencies to ensure a peaceful and orderly SONA of President Marcos,” De Leon said.

The PNP recalibrated its security measures for the SONA after the Quezon City government allowed cause-oriented groups to hold a march along Commonwealth Avenue up to the corner of Tandang Sora Avenue.

Some 300 members of the Police Regional Office 3 were deployed yesterday to Batasan, Quezon City as augmentation forces, according to PRO3 chief Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay.

Baccay said around 400 additional police personnel are on standby and ready for deployment if the need arises.

Gun ban

Meanwhile, a tricycle driver and a minor were apprehended on Friday during the implementation of the gun ban for President Marcos’ SONA.

Police arrested Aldrin delos Santos, 25, during the conduct of a search in Barangay Olympia, Makati.

When police asked the suspect for the documents of his 9mm pistol, Delos Santos was unable to present proof of ownership.

In Muntinlupa, police nabbed a minor in Barangay Tunasan.

The minor was spotted along E. Rodriguez street allegedly holding an improvised firearm, according to Southern Police District director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg. – Ralph Edwin Villanueva, Neil Jayson Servallos, Ric Sapnu