Quezon City: If you live, work, or study near Quezon City, mark your calendar: Monday, 27 July 2026 is SONA day. President Marcos delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, and that means one very practical thing for the rest of us — road closures, heavy traffic, and suspended classes across parts of Metro Manila.
This is your no-politics, purely practical guide: what's closed, where to reroute, and how to plan your Monday around it.
Quick facts
What: SONA 2026 (President Marcos's 5th State of the Nation Address)
When: Monday, 27 July 2026 (the session traditionally starts in the late afternoon)
Where: Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City
Impact zone: Commonwealth Avenue and the roads around the House of Representatives
Roads to avoid — expect heavy traffic
Temporary closures and rerouting will hit the area around the Batasang Pambansa Complex, tightening as the day goes on. Expect the worst congestion along:
Commonwealth Avenue (the main chokepoint)
IBP Road
Batasan Road and adjacent streets
Elliptical Road area (a zipper/counterflow scheme is typically set up here)
If your route normally cuts through any of these, plan to detour — or better, avoid the area entirely on Monday.
MMDA alternate routes
The MMDA has advised motorists to use these alternate routes:
Direction | Suggested route |
|---|---|
Northbound (Quezon Memorial Circle → Fairview) | North Avenue → Mindanao Avenue → Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway → back to Commonwealth |
Southbound (Fairview → Quezon Memorial Circle) | Commonwealth Avenue → Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway → Mindanao Avenue → North Avenue |
(Exact closure times and reroute points are finalized by MMDA close to the day — always check the latest advisory before you travel.)
Are classes suspended?
Yes — in several cities.
Quezon City: classes at all levels, public and private, are suspended on Monday, 27 July.
Manila: the city has also declared a suspension of classes at all levels.
Other LGUs: may follow — check your city's official announcement, as suspensions are declared city by city.
What about work?
There's usually no blanket work suspension for SONA — most offices operate normally. But given the traffic:
Ask about work-from-home for Monday if your job allows it.
If you must commute, leave much earlier than usual or consider going in before the midday buildup.
Employers near the impact zone sometimes adjust hours — confirm with your HR.
Public transport & security
Buses and jeepneys along Commonwealth will be rerouted; expect longer waits and detours.
The NCRPO is on full alert from 24 July, with around 21,000 police deployed for the event — expect checkpoints, heightened security, and gatherings near the venue. Give the whole Batasan area a wide berth.
How to plan your Monday
Avoid the Batasan/Commonwealth area entirely if you can.
Work or study from home where possible — classes are already off in QC and Manila.
Leave early and pad your travel time generously if you must pass nearby.
Run errands elsewhere — stick to your own neighborhood on Monday.
Follow official real-time updates (see below) rather than unverified reposts.
Where to get live updates
MMDA — official traffic advisories and rerouting
PNP / NCRPO — security and checkpoint info
Your city government (LGU) — class/work suspension announcements
DepEd / your school — class status
Frequently asked questions
When is SONA 2026?
Monday, 27 July 2026, at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
Which roads are affected?
Commonwealth Avenue, IBP Road, Batasan Road, and the area around the House of Representatives, with rerouting on nearby major roads.
Are classes suspended for SONA 2026?
Yes — Quezon City and Manila have suspended classes at all levels. Other LGUs may follow, so check your city's announcement.
Is work suspended?
There's generally no blanket work suspension. Ask your employer about work-from-home or adjusted hours.
What are the alternate routes?
MMDA suggests North Avenue, Mindanao Avenue, Sauyo Road, and Quirino Highway to bypass the Commonwealth Avenue congestion.
Stuck close to home on Monday? Discover what's open and the services near you on LifeNavi — beat the SONA traffic and keep your day moving.
