Metro Manila roads to close during Pope Francis’ visit

President Benigno S. Aquino III personally inspects the security preparations in Villamor Air Base, the Apostolic Nunciature and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 Quirino Station during the dry run of the Papal convoy on Tuesday night (January 13, 2015) for the upcoming pastoral visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines. With the President is Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II. (Photo by Gil Nartea/Malacañang Photo Bureau/PNA)

MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Monday advised the public to take note of their released list of closed roadways during Pope Francis’ state and papal visit.

On January 15, Thursday, starting at 3 pm, various roads will be closed for the Pontiff’s arrival at Villamor Airbase. Principal routes that will be closed include Andrews Ave., Domestic Rd., NAIA Rd., Quirino Ave., Roxas Blvd. and Taft Ave. Some portions of SLEX, Osmeña Highway and Sales Bridge will also be impassable.

On January 16, Friday, Pope Francis has three engagements. First, he is set to meet government officials in Malacañang. Then, he will hold Holy Mass at the Manila Cathedral. Finally, he will meet families at the Mall of Asia Arena in the afternoon.

Starting at 6 am, Taft Ave., Quirino Ave., J.P Laurel St. and Nagtahan will be closed for the Pope’s Malacañang visit. Ayala Blvd., Finance Rd., Gen. Solano St., P. Casal, P. Burgos Ave. and Roxas Blvd. will also be closed.

Starting at 8 am, Anda Circle, Ayala Bridge, Ayala Blvd., Bonifacio Dr., J.P. Laurel St., Finance Rd., Gen. Luna St., Gen. Solano, Guazon Ave., Maria Orosa, Nagtahan Bridge, P. Burgos Ave., P. Casal, Soriano Jr. Ave. and U.N. Ave. will be closed for the Pontiff’s Manila Cathedral audience.

Starting at 10 am, Anda Circle, Bonifacio Dr., Finance Rd., Gen. Luna St., P. Burgos Ave., Soriano Ave., Quirino Ave., Roxas Blvd. and Taft Ave. and will be closed for the Pope’s travel to the Apostolic Nunciature.

Then, at 4 pm, some roads will be closed to vehicles as the Pontiff heads to Mall of Asia. These include some portions of EDSA, J.W. Bukaneg St., Diokno Blvd., P. Ocampo St., Quirino Ave., Roxas Blvd. and Taft Ave.

On January 17, Saturday, starting at 4:30 am, several roads will again be closed for the Pope’s take off for Typhoon Yolanda-hit province of Leyte. Andrews Ave., Domestic Rd., NAIA Rd., Osmeña Highway, Quirino Ave., Roxas Blvd., Sales Bridge, SLEX and Taft Ave. will be closed.

The MMDA urged drivers and commuters to take alternate routes. They have also reminded the public to go to designated papal areas an hour before road closures.

“Ang hiling natin sa ating mga kababayan kung ang road closure ay three hours before ay dapat four hours before ay pumunta na kayo sa lugar na inyong pagbabantayan,” MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said in a press briefing.

(What we are asking [to those who want to catch a glimpse of the Pope] is that if the road closure is three hours before, then they should be in their viewing areas four hours before.)

“Hinihiling din natin sa mga truckers na iwasan po yung papal routes,” Tolentino added.

(We are also asking truckers to veer away from papal routes.)

With report from Cyra Moraleda