MMDA: No talks yet of suspending number coding on SONA day

The number-coding scheme will still be implemented on July 24, the day President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. delivers his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Thursday.

“So far, wala pang napag-usapang suspension ng coding,” MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana told reporters after a closed-door meeting at the House of Representatives regarding the security preparations for the SONA.

(So far, there is no discussion on suspending the number-coding scheme.)

Lipana said the MMDA will release in the coming days the alternate routes that motorists can take during the day of the SONA.

“We encourage, we suggest sa ating mga motorista that during the SONA ay doon na sila magdaan sa alternate route,” Lipana said.

(We encourage, we suggest our motorists to take those alternate routes during the day of the SONA.)

When asked if portions of Commonwealth Avenue and IBP Road in Quezon City will be closed on SONA day as had been the practice in the past, Lipana replied, “Hindi naman masasara. Maaaring hindi masara. Baka magkaroon lang ng zipper lane. Depende sa sitwasyon.”

(Depending on the situation, they may not be closed. We may just put a zipper lane.)

The MMDA will deploy 1,300 personnel on the day of the SONA. The number does not include the MMDA personnel already assigned in Quezon City.

The MMDA is also helping in the cleaning and beautification of the Batasang Pambansa Complex, the venue of the SONA, through pavement markings and trimming of trees and plants. —KBK, GMA Integrated News