Traffic rerouting for Sona

A giant effigy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo leads thousands of protesters as they march towards the Congress at suburban Quezon city for a rally Monday to coincide with Arroyo’s last State of the Nation Address (Sona). (AP)

MANILA — As early as 7 a.m. Monday, traffic has started to build up along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City as some rallyists already converged in front of Ever Gotesco.

This is in anticipation of the ninth and last State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which will be held at the House of Representatives later at 4 p.m.

The northbound lane starting from Ever Gotesco Mall area up to the Commission on Audit (COA) has been closed to traffic starting 6 a.m.

Motorists are directed to use only the southbound lane of the avenue provided by counterflow area.

Those from Quezon City Circle going to Fairview should take the U-turn slot fronting Jocfer Building and exit at the U-turn slot in front of COA. Those heading to Quezon City Circle must take the other way around.

For those who will be attending the Sona, they must also take the same entry point and exit at the U-turn slot in front of St. Peter Parish and then straight to Batasan Pambansa Complex.

Motorists are also advised to take alternative routes going to Fairview like the Quirino Avenue and the North Luzon Expressway (NLex).

Around 60 traffic enforcers were detailed along Commonwealth Avenue, said Traffic Operations Center executive director Angelito Vergel De Dios.

Militant groups are allowed to enter up to area near St. Peter’s Parish before the gate of Capitol Hills unlike the previous Sonas where rallies were only permitted to be staged in front of Ever Gotesco.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Roberto Rosales said they are expecting peaceful rally as they heed all the request of the militant groups during their meeting last week.

Instead of until 6 p.m., Rosales said they will allow protest rallies until 7 p.m. since it will be the last Sona of President Arroyo.

Though classes are suspended in entire Quezon City and Metro Manila, traffic enforcers still expected traffic build up in some parts of the city especially areas where simultaneous rallies are held. They said the lifting of number-coding could also induce more vehicles on the road.

Police are expecting 25,000 rallyists to join the demonstrations. All police units are in full alert status to prevent untoward incidents.

About 10,000 anti-riot policemen are deployed to secure the rally sites with additional Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) Unit and the Armed Forces for anticipated augmentation.

INC anniversary

Aside from the Sona, police will also be securing the 95th anniversary of Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) to be held simultaneously at Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City and Rizal Memorial Stadium in Malate Manila.

On the rerouting plan for those who will attend the INC anniversary, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that Roxas Boulevard from T.M. Kalaw to Edsa will be closed to motorists.

Those headed to Manila and Navotas should take A. Mabini or Taft Ave. and then left to T.M. Kalaw.

For motorists going to Baclaran, Edsa, and Mall of Asia, they should take M.H. del Pilar or Taft Avenue. While those bound for GSIS, CCP, Baclaran, and World Trade Center, must take M.H. del Pilar, A. Mabini, or Taft Avenue. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)