MMDA wants road closures, class holidays, no mall sales during SEA Games 2019

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is pushing for road closures,  class holidays as well as a ban on mall sales during the duration of the 2019 SEA Games which will begin on November 30.

Interviewed on GMA News' Unang Balita on Monday, MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said they have submitted their recommendations to Malacañang, but these have yet to be approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Pialago said the MMDA has recommended the road closure of Adriatico and P. Ocampo Streets, which are in the vicinity of the Rizal Memorial Stadium where some SEA Games events will be held.

The MMDA is also in talks to prohibit mall sales in areas where delegates and athletes will pass.

“Pasok po kasi sa December policy natin o BER months policy ang no-weekday sale. Pero medyo may gray area tayo sa opening [day] kasi Saturday po ‘yun, so nagkakaroon pa lang po ng dialogue,” Pialago said.

The MMDA official added that they have requested a class holiday for seven schools across Metro Manila from December 2 to 6 to further ease traffic.

The agency earlier advised the public of chokepoint areas which motorists should avoid throughout the SEA Games.  — Julia Mari Ornedo/RSJ, GMA News