DPWH to place concrete barriers in areas to be visited by Pope Francis

3-year-old Paulo Domingo helps his father by trying to fix the nails to the picture frame in preparation for Pope Francis visit on January 15-19 at the Quirino Grandstand, Manila on Saturday (January 3, 2015). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA — Around 23,000 concrete barriers will be placed in areas in Metro Manila where Pope Francis is expected to visit during his four-day Apostolic and State Visit to the country this month, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Friday.

According to DPWH-National Capital Region (NCR) Director Reynaldo Tagudando, the barriers will serve as blockades on roads where the papal entourage is expected to traverse.

“It’s for the papal route. Experience noong 1995 sa papal route, salubong ang madaming tao. Ang purpose niyan to make sure walang makakaharang na tao,” he said.

Most of these concrete barriers will be placed along Roxas Blvd., Rizal Park area, T.M. Kalaw St. and the vicinity of Manila Cathedral.

Tagundando said the barrier measures 1.25 meters and will be painted in black and white.

Not all the concrete barriers are from the DPWH, Tagudando said, adding that some were borrowed from other departments and offices such as DPWH districts, North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, and Region 4-A or Calabarzon.

Pope Francis will hold Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Jan. 16 and at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park on Jan. 18.