We’re a few weeks away from the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has been making all the necessary preparations to alleviate the imminent heavy traffic during the festivities, which will run from November 30 to December 11.
The agency previously announced that a stop-and-go traffic scheme will be implemented when the games begin to ensure that athletes and delegates reach their destinations on time. It will also deploy 2,000 personnel across Metro Manila, and patrol motorcycles, mobile-car escorts, ambulances, and tow trucks will be on standby.
The agency has also identified all potential choke-point areas during the games. If you drive around the metro often, avoid these locations at all costs, or at least plan your trips wisely.
Expected choke points during 2019 SEA Games
- SLEX northbound
- Mindanao Avenue–North Avenue to NLEX, Quezon City
- Roxas Boulevard corner G. Puyat (Buendia) Avenue
- Roxas Boulevard corner P. Ocampo Street
- Roxas Boulevard P. Burgos Street
- Taft Avenue corner P. Ocampo Street
- Adriatico RMSC Area
- Quirino Avenue corner Adriatico Street, Manila
- Shaw Boulevard corner Pioneer Street, Pasig City
- N. Domingo–FilOil, San Juan City
- Lawton Avenue corner Bayani Road, Taguig City
The MMDA also expects the following venues to fill up once the games begin, so you might want to postpone your trips to or around these locations as well:
2019 SEA Games venues
- Rizal Memorial Sports Complex
- Cuneta Astrodome
- SM Mall of Asia Arena
- SM Mall of Asia Skating Rink
- World Trade Center
- Philippine International Convention Center Forum
- SM Megamall
- Filoil Flying V Centre
- Filinvest City
- University of the Philippines Diliman Gym
- Marine Corps
- Muntinlupa Sports Complex
- Starmall EDSA
- Makati Coliseum
- Manila Hotel tent
- SM Megamall Ice Rink
- World Trade Center
- Philsports Arena
- Amoranto Sports Complex
- Manila Polo Club
As for the stop-and-go traffic scheme, these are the areas that may be affected:
- EDSA
- Roxas Boulevard
- Taft Avenue
- Ayala Avenue
- Magallanes
- G. Puyat (Buendia) Avenue
- Shaw Boulevard
- Boni Serrano Avenue
- SM Megamall
- Santolan
- SM North
- Munoz
- Balintawak
In addition, the agency also expects heavy traffic north of Metro Manila, specifically in Clark and Subic.
With the SEA Games coinciding with the start of the holiday season, motorists and commuters in the metro are in for stressful trips ahead. How will you beat the traffic come the end of November?
