Several Manila roads closed for Black Nazarene procession today

Many roads leading to the Quiapo Church would be closed today to ease the flow of traffic for the Black Nazarene procession, Manila city officials announced yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Elmer Jamias, chief of the Manila District Traffic Enforcement Office (MDTEO) said all public utility vehicles (PUVs) would no longer be allowed to pass through Quezon Boulevard by 11 a.m. today. After an hour, the road will be closed to all vehicles.

There will be 11 road closures, particularly the southbound lane of Bonifacio Drive from Anda Circle to 25th Street; the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard from T.M. Kalaw Street to P. Burgos Street; the northbound lane of McArthur Bridge and stretch of C. Palanca Street from Plaza Lacson to Quezon Boulevard; España from P. Campa Street to Quezon Boulevard; Andalucia/Fugoso; Palanca Street/Estero Cegado; the Isetann southbound service road at the corner of C.M. Recto Avenue and Quezon Boulevard; Nepomuceno and Bilibid Viejo streets; P. Casal/ Palanca Street; stretch of Arlegui from P. Casal to Barbosa Street; and Hidalgo Street/ San Sebastian.

According to a MDTEO traffic re-routing plan, vehicles going to Bonifacio Drive should take A. Soriano Street. Vehicles intending to utilize the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard should take T.M. Kalaw Street. Motorists heading to P. Burgos Street should take 25th Street and turn left to Bonifacio Drive then right to A. Soriano Street. Those going to España should turn left to Nicanor Reyes Street (also known as Morayta) and then turn left to C.M. Recto Avenue and then turn right to Legarda Street, and then to P. Casal Street. Motorists coming from Dimasalang/Blumentritt Street should go straight to C.M. Recto Avenue then turn right to Oroqueta Street.

Vehicles coming from the southern part of McArthur Bridge should take the Jones flyover and then turn right to the Philippine Post Corp. and then turn back to Plaza Lacson to turn left to F. Torres Street and turn right to C.M. Recto Avenue.

Those taking the Divisoria via Quiapo route upon reaching the Isetann service road should go directly to Recto, U-turn then to Nicanor Reyes Street to reach Divisoria.

Because Nepomuceno and Bilibid Viejo will be closed to traffic, all PUVs coming from Loyola and proceeding to Quiapo should turn left to C.M. Recto, then turn left to Legarda. Vehicles from Legarda heading to P. Casal/Palanca Street should go straight to Taft Avenue, right to P. Burgos using Quezon Bridge and go straight to Quezon Boulevard service road and turn right to CM Recto.

Public utility vehicles plying the San Juan-Quiapo route should pass through Arlegui or Hidalgo Street and then take Legarda or P. Casal Street. Vehicles from south of Manila could utilize the Estero Cegado/Ronquillo up to Evangelista and then take Plaza Sta. Cruz and turn left F. Torres Street to reach their destination.

Schools along Mendiola Street are closed today for the procession.