Commentary
SONA: Zipper Lane Returns
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is rolling out a zipper lane and rerouting scheme on Commonwealth Avenue this Monday, July 28, ahead of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Designed to ease movement for government officials and invited guests heading to the Batasang Pambansa, the zipper lane will operate as a counterflow system—one that’s expected to significantly affect traffic flow for regular motorists.
Map Reference: Visual aid shows the detour route in red with labeled roads and landmarks.
To minimize congestion, the MMDA advised motorists to take alternate routes:
- Northbound (Elliptical to Fairview): Use North Avenue → Mindanao Avenue → Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway.
- Southbound (Fairview to QMC): Take Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway → Mindanao Avenue → North Avenue.
- Light vehicles from C5: Divert through Magiting → Maginhawa → Mayaman → Kalayaan Avenue.
- Trucks from C5/Katipunan: Use Luzon Flyover → Congressional Avenue.
The agency also announced an all-hands-on-deck approach. Over 1,300 MMDA personnel will be on-site to manage vehicular and pedestrian traffic, clear obstructions, and respond to any emergencies. A “no-day-off, no-absent” policy is in effect for field teams.
For detailed guidelines for all traffic advisories from MMDA, we created a plan to navigate the roads during the event. The details are in the caption of each of the photos posted on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ht4aEQtVP/
Command centers will monitor traffic conditions and protest activities via CCTV. Emergency vehicles, patrol units, and road-clearing equipment will be stationed at key points.
Ahead of the big day, MMDA teams have begun sidewalk clearing operations around the Batasang Pambansa, targeting illegally parked vehicles and other obstructions.
While the goal is to ensure a smoother experience for SONA attendees, many commuters are already anticipating longer travel times. In recent years, this kind of setup has sparked mixed reactions from the public—some see it as necessary, others question the impact on daily road users.
What do you think of this approach? Is it effective, disruptive, or somewhere in between? Let us know in the comments.
The sound of playful barks and happy laughter filled Barkhaus Eastwood as Jetour Auto Philippines, Inc. (JAPI) hosted its second Annual Media Pet Day on August 20, ahead of International Dog Day. The gathering brought together media friends, their pets, and the Jetour family for an afternoon celebrating companionship and responsible pet ownership.
Far from the usual motoring affair, the event highlighted JAPI’s belief that family includes furry members as well. It also gave the company a chance to strengthen ties with the media in a relaxed and personal setting.
The celebration featured fun contests, interactive sessions, and plenty of activities for both humans and pets. With its pet-friendly setup, Barkhaus Eastwood proved to be an ideal venue for socializing, bonding, and sharing stories among fellow animal lovers.
For Jetour, the day reflected its wider mission: building connections and communities that go beyond cars. Marketing Director Cherry May Moreno-De Los Santos expressed joy at seeing both familiar and new faces return for what is becoming a beloved tradition. “Much like the lifelong relationship we have with our pets, we want Jetour’s bond with our customers to be one of trust, loyalty, and joy,” she said.
To extend the celebration to the public, Jetour also held a vehicle display at Eastwood Mall, showcasing its current lineup, including the sporty Dashing series, the family-sized 7-seater X70, and the rugged T2 4×4 SUV.
The event reinforced Jetour’s message: journeys are not just about destinations, but also about the bonds and memories made along the way. True to that spirit, all Jetour dealerships across the country remain pet-friendly, welcoming families to shop for their next car without leaving their furry companions behind.
Official Website of LTO National Capital Region
The Land Transportation Office – National Capital Region (LTO-NCR) reminds the public to visit and use only its official website:
👉 https://www.ltoncr.com
Here are the available online services:
🔹 Plate Inquiry
- Replacement Plate (Green to White Plate)
- New Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Plates (Released to Dealers)
- Backlog Motorcycle Plates
🔹 Driver’s License (DL) Card Inquiry – Backlog DL Cards
🔹 Announcements
🔹 Citizen’s Charter
🔹 Certificate of Registration (CR) Inquiry
🔹 Messenger Channel
✅ Always check the official website and channels for accurate updates and information.
Pasay City — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) expressed its full support for the use of digital tools in monitoring flood control projects with the launch of the Flood Control Project Components (FCPC) under the Digital Information for Monitoring and Evaluation (DIME) initiative on Thursday at the Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station.
MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes, in his welcome remarks, said the system will play a vital role in addressing flooding, one of the biggest problems in Metro Manila. He noted that DIME makes it easier to determine if a project is working, allowing government to act faster and provide better protection for communities.
“This will ensure safety and well-being while promoting transparency,” Artes said, adding that the step is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to digitize government processes and guarantee that public funds directly benefit the people.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) leads the program, which incorporates advanced technology such as satellite imaging, drones, and geotagging to track the progress of major government infrastructure projects.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman highlighted the importance of public involvement, encouraging citizens to share their input on projects under DIME.
The launch also included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with various agencies: the Department of Transportation, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Education, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, Philippine Space Agency, and the Government Data Initiative.
Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, UP-NOAH Center Director Mahar Lagmay, and representatives from civil society groups joined the event to show their support.
