SEAG closing, U2 concert to clog roads on 11 December

The New Clark City athletics stadium in Capas, Tarlac, site of the 30th SEA Games closing ceremony. (Facebook)

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement anew the stop-and-go traffic scheme when delegates troop to the New Clark City athletics stadium in Capas, Tarlac, on Wednesday for the closing ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

More than 8,000 athletes and 2,000 technical officials came to the country for the biennial Games, which the Philippines hosted for the fourth time.

At least 2,000 MMDA personnel will be deployed until Friday when all SEA Games visitors are expected to have left.

“Just like in the opening of the SEA Games, the stop-and-go scheme will be implemented and there will be one lane for SEA Games delegates,” said MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago in a television interview. “We expect the cooperation of all by stopping and giving way to SEA Games vehicles.”

Piolago said the delegates will start traveling at 10:30 a.m. for the 6 p.m. event.

A total of 10,000 tickets are free to the public and can be availed of at the New Clark City, local government offices and SM Ticket outlets.

Adding to the traffic buildup that day is the expected mammoth crowd within the vicinity of the Philippine Arena, site of the opening ceremony, as famed Irish rock band U2 will be performing in the 55,000-capacity venue as part of its global “Joshua Tree” tour.