The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) urged those planning to watch the opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian Games 2019 (SEA Games) to use point-to-point (P2P) buses to avoid traffic congestion.
In a radio interview, MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will issue special permits to P2P buses to ferry spectators of the upcoming biennial sporting event.
“Meron din programa ang LTFRB na ang buses po can apply a special permit na magfe-ferry po ng ating mga spectators as P2P from QC (Quezon City) to Philippine Arena (The LTFRB has a program that allows buses to apply for a special permit to ferry spectators from QC to Philippine Arena),” Pialago said.
On November 30, spectators of the SEA Games opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena in Sta. Maria, Bulacan may opt to ride P2P buses—buses with no stops in between—from Quezon City and park their cars in nearby malls.
Pialago said those interested may find the P2P buses in Quezon City malls to be announced soon.
“Our spectators are encouraged to park their vehicles at the malls–pero wala pa pong listahan yung mga malls natin. Then magbo-board po sila sa ating mga (but there’s no list yet of malls with these P2P buses. Then they’ll board in our) P2P loading areas,” Pialago said.
Pialago also announced the schedule of events prior to the official opening of the SEA Games on Nov. 30.
On November 13 at 5 p.m., she said there will be a send-off or a “pep rally” for the country’s athletes at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila
“Nov. 13 yan po yung ating send-off ng bayan para po ma-honor ang ating national team (That’s Nov. 13 for the country’s send-off to honor our national team),” Pialago said.
The next day, a simulation of the SEA Games opening ceremony will be held to practice the movement of athletes, visitors, and other delegates.
“Magkakaroon po tayo ng opening ceremony simulation. Pagdating po dito, 16 buses na may vehicle access pass–magmula po sa Southern Luzon, Metro Manila, Clark, Subic–ang magpa-participate sa ating simulation (We will have an opening ceremony simulation. When this comes, 16 buses with vehicle access pass—from Southern Luzon, Metro Manila, Clark, Subic—will participate in our simulation),” Pialago said.
On Nov. 15, elimination games will begin and will be held at 21 separate venues within Metro Manila.
She said these include the Mall of Asia, the Philippine International Convention Center, Cuneta Astrodome, Manila Hotel, World Trade Center, and SM Megamall.
On November 26, a rehearsal of the SEA Games opening ceremony will be held at the Philippine Arena and will be open to the public.
Pialago said the MMDA has recommended to Malacañang the partial road closures and suspension of classes in schools within SEA Games hotspots, especially those surrounding the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
She said the MMDA also proposed to ban promotional sales in malls along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) and other thoroughfares to be frequented during the SEA Games. (PNA)
