The Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (IACT) on Tuesday said normal EDSA Bus Carousel operations and deployments would continue during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 from August 25 to September 10.
“Wala pong pagbabago, regular po yung deployment. Kung ilan bus ang dumadaan ‘yung emergency vehicles, naka-priority po ‘yun. Priority po namin yung kapakanan ng aming mananakay. Ang pagbabago lamang po diyan ay yung mga nadagdag na identified motor vehicles na gagamitin ng FIBA, dere-deretso parin po ‘yung ating operasyon,” said IACT Chief Charlie del Rosario at a public briefing on Tuesday.
“Maayos naman po ‘yung huling mga araw nung umpisa ng disi-syete ng Agosto, at maayos naman wala tayong pagbabbago sa pagpapatakbo. Wala naman natatanggap na reklamo,” he added.
He noted that IACT was coordinating with the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
Del Rosario added that the identified motor vehicles used by the delegates could not overtake at EDSA Bus Carousel stations as passengers’ safety was the priority.
“Maliwanag po ang usapan diyan. Kapag po nagkasabay ang isang bus na nagbababa sa isang istasyon at meron pong delegates sa likuran, hindi po pup-pwedeng mag-overtake dahil nga po ‘yung safety ng ating mananakay ang uunahin. Pagagalawin po agad ‘yung bus na nasa harapan kung natapos na po mag unload at load hindi po mamadaliin,” he said.
No FIBA decals, no entry
The IACT also implemented the “No FIBA Decals, No Entry” policy since August 17. Only vehicles with decals can enter and pass through the EDSA Bus Carousel lane.
“‘Yun lang may decals ang pwedeng gumamit sa EDSA Bus Carousel lane kung wala pong decal ‘yan at nakasunod po sa isang sasakyan na may decal paparahin po ‘yan at papalabasin kundi po huhulihin. Maliwanag po yun lang pong may decals ang pwedeng papasukin at pagamitin ng EDSA Bus Carousel,” del Rosario noted.
Del Rosario urged motorists to avoid the routes used by delegates to prevent getting caught in traffic and inconvenienced.
“Ang FIBA World Cup kasi naka-designate naman po ‘yung dadadaan niyan tulad ng EDSA Bus Carousel at dito sa mga area na kung saan gagamitin po ‘yung ating toll road. Iwasan po natin dito pag identified po kasi sa papuntang Cubao area kung maiiwasan po, iwasan natin,” he said.
Meanwhile, as classes start next week, August 29, 2023, del Rosario said this would not affect the FIBA activities. He added that the IACT would deploy additional personnel near schools.
On August 18, the MMDA implemented intermittent stops on some roads to give way for the arrival of delegates and players of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Basketball World Cup 2023.
The measure would affect EDSA, Kalayaan Avenue, Diokno Boulevard, Roxas Boulevard, Andrews Avenue, Sales Road, and other FIBA routes.
The MMDA said 1,303 personnel would be deployed in affected areas to manage traffic and guide motorists.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said around 4,400 security personnel would be deployed to secure the event. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
