Brace for a new traffic scheme as the country hosts the FIBA World Cup 2023 starting this weekend.

As the nation gears up to host basketball's biggest event, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has unveiled a game plan to manage the expected surge in traffic.

The weeklong international basketball tournament, set to commence on 25 August, will see 32 countries competing, with the Philippines sharing hosting duties with Indonesia and Japan.

In a bid to maintain order amidst the already congested traffic in Metro Manila, the MMDA has announced the implementation of intermittent stops in key areas of the metropolis. This means motorists will be stopped at times to give way for the passage of FIBA delegates and players.

The intermittent stops will be enforced in the following areas: Epifanio de los Santos Avenue; Kalayaan Avenue;  Diokno Boulevard; Roxas Boulevard;  Andrews Avenue; Sales Road; and other routes determined by FIBA.

The traffic scheme will run during the entire FIBA week, until 30 August, affecting venues such as the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, and Mall of Asia Arena at the SM MOA complex, in Bay City, Pasay City.

To ensure smooth execution, MMDA will deploy 1,303 personnel in affected areas to manage traffic and guide motorists. Additionally, the Philippine National Police  has announced that around 4,400 security personnel will be deployed to secure the event.

The MMDA has also prohibited mall-wide sales in shopping centers along EDSA and other affected areas that started 17 August and will last until 10 September.

The Philippines will specifically host participants from Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe, with an expected total of 3,253 FIBA customer groups participating.

The opening ceremony and the opening games between Angola and Italy, and the Philippines and the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena in Sta. Maria, Bulacan, will kick off the tournament.

For the opening of the FIBA World Cup, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has suspended classes in public schools at all levels and government work in Metro Manila and Bulacan on 25 August. Work for private companies and classes in private schools are left to the discretion of their respective heads.