MMDA fines, tows vehicles blocking alternate routes in QC for SONA

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday cleared alternate routes in Quezon City for the State of the Nation Address (SONA), imposing fines and towing parked vehicles that blocked the roads.

The MMDA began clearing operations for alternative routes a week before the SONA to ensure motor vehicles can easily access the roads, according to a report by James Agustin on GMA News' Unang Balita.

“Aaraw-arawin po naming ma-clear ito so that mabigyan natin ng maluwag na alternatibong ruta itong mga kababayan natin,” says New Task Force Special Operations and Anti-Colorum Unit chief Bong Nebrija.

(We will clear the roadways on a daily basis to provide vehicles with a wide alternate route.)

The agency cleared C.P. Garcia Avenue and Katipunan Avenue, where jeepneys and tricycles were parked on the side of the streets.

Some of the vehicles were towed while others were fined.

Meanwhile, motorbike riders who were spotted driving in slippers were also ticketed.

The MMDA also gave free helmets to riders caught with substandard ones.

Nebrija said the agency has been in communication with barangay captains about road clearance and that local authorities are already aware of the operations.

Seventeen vehicles have already been towed as of 7 a.m., while three riders have received fines for violations.

The Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City will be the venue for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s first SONA on Monday, July 25. —Alzel Laguardia/KG, GMA News