Navigating Manila During the 2015 APEC Summit

As you may have already heard, one of the world’s most significant economic forums, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, is being held here in our beloved country, and is finally commencing today after more than a year of preparation. Twenty-one heads of state from the United States, Canada, and Japan, just to name a few, are all here to take part of this global summit and discuss about the world’s current economic progress. While this event may be very beneficial for the Philippines as this year’s host, it also entails a little (or a lot) of hassle for the everyday commuters and motorists like us. Yes, this week-long event also means road blocks and re-routing schemes to make way for APEC delegates and dignitaries, or simply put, week-long extra extra traffic! How are we going to make it to the office on time? The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has already released public infographics and traffic schemes two weeks ago for us to know which roads to avoid for the whole duration of the event, and hopefully, arrive at the office without breaking a sweat. Here’s a hint: it involves EDSA and Pasay.

Road Closures

Road closures along Roxas Boulevard from November 16 to 20:

• Stretch of Roxas Boulevard north and southbound lanes from Katigbak to P. Ocampo
• Stretch of Roxas Boulevard service road from Sta. Monica St. to P. Ocampo;
• Stretch of Quirino Ave., from Roxas Boulevard to Adriatico;
• Stretch of Century Park St. from Adriatico to Mabini St.;
• Stretch of Mabini St. from P. Ocampo to Quirino Avenue;
• Southbound lane of Adriatico from Quirino Ave. to Century Park St.;
• Stretch of P. Ocampo from Adriatico to Roxas Blvd.;
• Stretch of MH del Pilar St. from Sta. Monica St. to Malvar St.;
• Stretch of Pedro Gil St., from Roxas Blvd. to Mabini St.

Road closures along the CCP Complex from November 16 to 20:

• Vicente Sotto Street
• Bukaneg Street
• J.W. Diokno Boulevard Bridge
• Buendia Avenue –  Extension
• M. Jalandoni Street

Road closures around MOA on November 18 only:

• Diokno corner Seaside Boulevard
• Coral Way corner Seaside Boulevard
• EDSA corner Macapagal
• Macapagal corner Coral Way
• Diokno corner Aseana
• Macapagal corner Bradco

The inner most lane in EDSA, from Ortigas to Roxas boulevard, will exclusively be used by APEC delegates. You can still pass here but expect heavy traffic.

Around Ayala Avenue from November 16 and 17, 3 to 11 p.m.

• Ayala Avenue West Bound Lanes Makati Avenue to Paseo de Roxas

Around Ayala Center from November 16 to 19

• Ayala Center portions of North Street, West Street and Parkway Drive

Alternate Routes

Motorists alternate route 1

• Southbound – From P. Burgos, take Orosa Street. Turn right at Kalaw Avenue turn left at M. H. Del Pilar left at Quirino Avenue turn right at F.B. Harrison to EDSA, to destination.
• North bound – From EDSA turn right at F.B Harrison, straight to Mabini Street, right at Kalaw Avenue turn left at Orosa Street to P. Burgos to destination.

Motorists alternate route 2

• Northbound and southbound – From EDSA turn right at Taft Avenue to Manila City Hall to destination and vice versa.

Alternate route: To MOA, for private and public utility vehicles

• From EDSA right at Macapagal Boulevard left at Seaside Boulevard to SM MOA – 1.45 kilometers

Alternate Route: From MOA, for private and public utility vehicles

• From SM MOA take Seaside Boulevard left at Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard left at Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia Avenue) to destination.
• From SM MOA take Seaside Boulevard right at Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard left at EDSA to destination.

Keep in mind

Number coding scheme will still be observed all throughout the week, as well as truck ban schedules (6 a.m. to 10 p.m) except for Roxas Boulevard where a 24-hour truck ban will be implemented. The MMDA has also implemented a no parking zone along Roxas Boulevard service road from TM Kalaw to Pres. Quirino from November 16 to 20.

Follow Kalibrr’s feed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for upcoming information on the APEC summit.

Sources: Interaksyon.com, MMDA, Inquirer.net, APEC 2015