Traffic rerouted as Cory laid to rest today

MANILA, Philippines - Parañaque City’s traffic unit will implement a traffic rerouting scheme to ensure the orderly passage of the funeral cortege of former President Corazon Aquino, who will be taken to her final resting place at the Manila Memorial Park today.

The cortege will leave the Manila Cathedral at about 11 a.m. It will pass through Roxas Boulevard, turn left on Quirino Avenue, turn right on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), turn right on Sucat and proceed to the Manila Memorial Park.

Meanwhile, vehicles from the south and passing through the SLEX bound for Baclaran may take Dr. A. Santos Avenue (DASA) but only up to the corner of President’s Avenue for the counter-flow traffic up to the Manila Memorial Park.

Meanwhile, vehicles coming from Baclaran bound for SLEX must turn left on Lopez Avenue, turn left on Aguirre, turn left on President’s Avenue and turn right on DASA to exit toward SLEX.

The DASA stretch from the corner of President’s Avenue up to the DASA/SLEX Rotunda will be open to counter-flow traffic.

Superintendent Alfredo Valdez, Parañaque police chief, said the rerouting scheme shall be in effect until after the interment rites.

Valdez said police officers from the National Capital Region Police Office will help implement traffic and security measures.

The city government will also field first aid and medical teams in and outside the memorial park, as well as have an ambulance on standby, to attend to emergency cases.

Valdez said 336 police officers from local police stations and the Southern Police District will be deployed at the memorial park.

The Manila Police District’s traffic enforcement unit said yesterday the southbound lane of Bonifacio Drive and Roxas Boulevard from Delpan to Quirino Avenue will also be closed to traffic starting at 10 a.m.

Police advised motorists to take alternate routes and expect heavy traffic.

Meanwhile, the United States embassy and its affiliated offices will be closed today following a declaration by the government that it is a non-working holiday in honor of Aquino.

The embassy will resume normal operations tomorrow. – Rhodina Villanueva, Pia Lee-Brago