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MANILA – Motorists should avoid traversing EDSA in the afternoon of Nov. 30, hours before the opening ceremonies of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, an official said Thursday.

Heavy traffic is expected along the northbound side of the main thoroughfare from 12 noon to 5 p.m. as a stop-and-go scheme will be implemented to prioritize buses ferrying athletes to the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, where the SEA Games opening will be held, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s EDSA traffic chief Edison "Bong" Nebrija told DZMM radio.

Buses for the delegates will be using yellow lanes on the roadway since the request for a special lane, similar to what had been implemented during the country’s hosting of the ASEAN summit, was submitted late, Nebrija said.

“From 12 noon up to 5 in the afternoon, 'yan po 'yung window hours na we will be expecting different convoys that will start passing [through] EDSA... Kung pupuwede ang pakiusap po namin sa ating mga kababayan na iwasan po ang northbound ng EDSA," Nebrija said.

(From 12 noon up to 5 in the afternoon that's when we're expecting different convoys that will start passing [through] EDSA. If possible, we're asking the public to avoid the northbound side of EDSA.)

Private vehicles were also warned against tailgating official convoys. Apprehensions will be made, he said.

“'Wag susunod sa convoy dahil kung hindi po kayo part ng convoy at nahuli po kayo papatabihin po kayo at lalo lang po kayo made-delay,” Nebrija said.

(Do not tail convoys because if you're part of the convoy and you are caught, you will be asked to pull over and you will just be further delayed.)

Spectators were also urged to take accredited buses to get to the SEA Games opening venue. Buses will start ferrying passengers as early as 12 noon from various pickup points in the capital including the TriNoMa mall, the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, SM Mall of Asia and Ayala Clover Leaf.

• Take the bus to Philippine Area: SEA Games Opening audience urged