Gov’t to simulate security measures for APEC meeting

Metro Manila may experience heavier traffic than usual starting Saturday, as the government starts simulating security measures for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

Certain roads will be closed and traffic rerouted tentatively from 2 a.m., Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ricardo Marquez told reporters Wednesday.

The APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will gather state leaders and other foreign dignitaries from the 21 APEC member economies, including US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The meeting will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City from November 18 to 19. The delegates are arriving starting November 15.

Go out of town

As part of security measures, the northbound and southbound lanes of Roxas Boulevard from MIA Road to P. Burgos will be closed to motorists and the commuting public for five days starting November 16.

Also, roads around the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex will be closed from November 16 to 20 and at the Mall of Asia Areana starting 6 a.m., November 18.

A stop-and-go scheme will be implemented along the Magallanes and Skyway-South Luzon Expressway interchanges and parts of Makati, EDSA and the roads around the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. As early as November 15, traffic will be stopped whenever economic leaders are on the road.

The two inner lanes of EDSA also getting cordoned off for exclusive use by APEC delegates from November 16 to 20.

“Normally, makikita mo iyong gaps during the simulation… Makikita soon kung kailangan ng additional road closures,” said Marquez, who heads the task force for the state and apostolic visit of Pope Francis in January.

President Benigno Aquino III has declared as special non-working days the APEC Summit proper, November 18 and 19. The private sector was also given the option to suspend work on the 17th and 20th.

Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said Metro Manila residents could take advantage of the APEC week to spend more time with their family or go out of town for a vacation. – VS, GMA News