MOTORISTS were strongly advised by authorities to refrain from passing through the designated lockdown routes in Metro Manila during the conduct of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in November 2017 in order to avoid prolonged traffic standstill in these areas.

Interior and Local Government Officer-in-Charge Catalino S. Cuy, who is also the concurrent chairperson of the ASEAN Committee on Security, Peace and Order, Emergency Preparedness and Response (CSPOEPR), in a statement requested for the public’s cooperation and understanding on the following lockdown schedules and the affected ASEAN lanes:

• Nov. 8 (12:01 a.m. onwards) — Partial lockdown of CCP Complex, Pasay City

• November 11 (10:00 p.m. onwards) — Complete lockdown of SMX-MAAX Block, Pasay City

• Nov. 12 (12:01 a.m. onwards) — Complete lockdown of CCP Complex, Pasay City

• Nov. 13 (12:01 a.m. onwards) — Total lockdown of Roxas Boulevard starting from

Padre Burgos Ave. to Buendia Ave., Manila

• Nov. 13 (12:01 a.m. onwards) — Partial lifting of lockdown at SMX-MAAX Block, Pasay City

• Nov. 13 (12:00 noon onwards) — Lifting of lockdown for Roxas Blvd. (Padre Burgos

Ave. to Buendia Ave., Manila)

• Nov. 14 — Continuous lockdown of CCP Complex, Pasay City

• Nov. 15 (12:00 noon onwards) — Partial lifting of lockdown for CCP Complex, Pasay City

During partial lockdown period, pedestrians and vehicles without ASEAN IDs and decals are allowed to enter the above-mentioned routes provided that they pass through the vehicle and pedestrian security areas.

On days with full lockdown schedule, only pedestrians and vehicles with ASEAN IDs and decals will be allowed to pass while the general public will be denied access to these routes.

“With less than two weeks before the event, I urge the public to steer clear of said lockdown areas so that they will not be trapped just in case there is a passing a convoy,” Mr. Cuy said Sunday.

Likewise, he strongly advises the general public to refrain from passing through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and EDSA as a stop-and-go scheme will be implemented every time an ASEAN convoy passes through these two major highways.

Mr. Cuy thanked all local government units (LGUs) that have responded to the call for various logistical needs of the ASEAN Summit.

At the same time, he requested the local chief executives of Metro Manila and Region III to provide support to the ASEAN delegates, remove unwanted elements on the streets that will create more traffic, and display information, education and communication (IEC) materials that express support for ASEAN.

The security and safety preparations for the ASEAN summit is spearheaded by the CSPOEPR, which is composed of 21 member agencies headed by the DILG. — News5/interaksyon.com

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR