But traveling during these days may be tricky. Here's why.
1. NAIA airports are closed. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport will be closed Nov. 16 to 21, during the arrival and departures of each of the 21 economic leaders which includes US president Barack Obama, China's Xi Jinping, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Canada's Justin Trudeau. If you want to travel by air, you have to leave on the 15th and come back on the 22nd.
Option? Get land transportation only. Which leads to item #2 below.
2. NLEX/SLEX traffic congestion. According to an article from Verafiles.org, "... Metro Manila’s major exit points, including the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), are expected to be heavily congested in the days leading up to the event."
3. Major roads closed to traffic due to VIP motorcades. "Most of the areas adjacent to the PICC in Pasay City will not be accessible to private cars or individuals that do not have the proper credentials. The southbound lanes of Roxas Boulevard will be closed entirely to private vehicles, from the airport to Luneta Park, from midnight on November 16, when world leaders start to arrive, until their departure on November 20."
It also added that there will be "delays along all major thoroughfares and at all major transportation hubs across Metro Manila. Most of the security measures and changes in traffic patterns will be concentrated in the cities of Pasay, Paranaque and Manila."
4. More traffic congestions. "The MMDA has announced the following traffic schemes for the week of the event:
“The innermost lanes of EDSA in each direction – two northbound and two southbound – will be reserved for APEC delegates. These APEC lanes extend from Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City to the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
“The southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard will also be reserved for APEC dignitaries, while one of the northbound lanes will become a two-way thoroughfare for other motorists.
“Roads surrounding PICC will be closed, including Bukaneg St, Vicente Sotto St., Buendia Ext, M. Jalandoni St. and J.W. Diokno Blvd Bridge.
“Expect congestion on roads surrounding major hotels in Manila, Pasay City, Makati and Bonifacio Global City.”
5. Interruptions in cellphone communications. “Sources at the Philippine National Police (PNP) also note that it is possible that cellphone communications could be interrupted at times in the vicinity of the PICC and other APEC venues – as was the case during the Pope’s visit." So, if you're traveling with friends, remember to have a few stop-overs so you could communicate with each other during your entire trip.
These are but a few things you need to watch out when you and your friends go out of town during the APEC vacation, so we'd really advise you to go get a bit of a game plan before you start those engines.
Or you may simply enjoy the hassles as well. After all -- no sweat, no gain.
Read more about the Vera Files article HERE.
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