2026 ASEAN Summit: Road closures, alternative routes in Metro Manila

ASEAN. Various local government units and other agencies continue cleaning and organizing the area around the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex in Pasay City in preparation for the upcoming 2026 ASEAN Summit, on October 22, 2026.

Rappler

To ease traffic congestion during the ASEAN Summit, Malacañang declared November 16 to November 18 as special non-working days in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Several roads in Pasay City will be closed to motorists during the Philippines’ hosting of the 49th ASEAN Summit from Monday, November 16, to Wednesday, November 18.

The affected roads are mostly near the Philippine International Convention Center, one of the summit’s venues, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The following roads will be affected by the closures:

• Pedro Bukaneg Street
• Vicente Sotto Street
• Buendia Avenue corner Magdalene Jalandoni Street
• Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard
• J.W. Diokno Boulevard corner Atang Dela Rama Street
• Atang Dela Rama Street

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said security checkpoints will be set up in the area from October 24 to November 8. The public may still enter during this period, subject to security screening and verification.

From November 9 to 18, the area will be closed to the public. Only authorized personnel and vehicles with valid access credentials will be allowed entry.

Alternative routes

Motorists may take the following alternative routes to avoid the affected roads:

For northbound traffic

For motorists traveling along Diokno Boulevard and Macapagal Boulevard toward Roxas Boulevard:

1. Turn right to Seaside Boulevard.
2. Turn right to Macapagal Boulevard.
3. Turn left to EDSA.
4. Turn left to Roxas Boulevard.

For southbound traffic

For motorists traveling along Roxas Boulevard toward Diokno Boulevard and Macapagal Boulevard:

1. Turn right to EDSA.
2. Turn right to Diokno Boulevard.
3. Turn right to Macapagal Boulevard.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) also temporarily suspended the issuance of permits for fun runs, motorcades, and other public activities from October 24 to November 20, 2026, in the cities of Manila, Pasay, Parañaque, Makati, and Taguig. 

Roxas Boulevard may also be affected by traffic caused by the ASEAN event, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said. Moreno said some events will also be held in some parts of the city.

To ease traffic congestion, Malacañang declared November 16 to November 18 as special non-working days in Metro Manila.

Other cities in Metro Manila have yet to release a traffic advisory for ASEAN. This story will be updated as information becomes available. 

Security measures

The MMDA will be deploying 2,955 personnel for the summit. The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, will deploy 13,868 cops to ensure the security of delegates. 

In Makati, the city government banned the use of drones for the whole month of November, as part of safety and security measures for the summit. – Rappler.com