MMDA reminds motorists: Avoid roads affected by ASEAN convoy dry-run on Oct. 15

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday reminded motorists anew to avoid roads that would be affected by a convoy dry-run on Sunday in preparation for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in November.

In an interview on Unang Balita, Emmanuel Miro, head of Operations of Task Force MMDA ASEAN, advised motorists to avoid several roads the convoys will pass through between 6-10 a.m. on Sunday, October 15.

This is the third convoy dry-run in preparation for the summit.

According to the ASEAN Security Task Force, the following roads will be affected by Sunday’s dry-run:

From Clark International Airport, Pampanga to Metro Manila:

• Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)
• North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)
• Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA)

Going to Manila Hotel, Manila:

• SLEX
• Skyway
• Buendia Extension
• Diokno Boulevard
• Roxas Boulevard

Going to Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City:

• McKinley Street
• 5th to 30th Streets

Going to The Peninsula Manila, Makati City:

• Ayala Avenue
• Makati Avenue

Going to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City:

• Jalandoni Street
• Arnaiz Street
• V. Sotto Street

Miro said three convoys would come from Clark, Pampanga, then pass through the SCTEX, then the NLEX to get to Metro Manila.

During the dry-run, Miro said the first convoy would leave for Manila Hotel at 6 a.m.

Fifteen to 30 minutes after that, the second convoy would go to Bonifacio Global City through McKinley Road along EDSA.

The third convoy would leave 15 to 30 minutes after the second convoy, and would proceed to The Peninsula Manila in Makati City through Ayala and Makati Avenues.

The convoys would hold then proceed to the PICC.

Heavy traffic is expected in these areas during the convoy dry-run.

During the actual ASEAN Summit, each convoy would consist of around 15 vehicles, Miro said.

Miro added that he estimates the convoys would reach the hotels in Metro Manila from Clark, in one hour and 30 minutes. It would take another 20 to 30 minutes for the vehicles to reach the PICC from the hotels, he said.

No word yet on class cancellations for Nov. 13-15

Miro reiterated that class cancellations due to the ASEAN Summit are only for Nov. 16 and 17. President Rodrigo Duterte has not yet made an announcement regarding class suspensions for November 13, 14, and 15.

The Philippines is hosting the 31st ASEAN Summit, which will be held from November 10-14 in Clark, Pampanga. Other ASEAN meetings will be held after the 14th in Metro Manila. —Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/KG, GMA News