Roads to Villamor Airbase close early Saturday for pope convoy

MANILA, Philippines - Portions of the Skyway and several other roads leading to Villamor Airbase will be closed to traffic starting at 4:30 a.m. Saturday for the convoy of Pope Francis from the Apostolic Nunciature.

Pope Francis is scheduled to leave for Tacloban City around 8 a.m. for the next leg of his five-day visit to the country.

To be closed at 4:30 a.m. or three hours before the Pope’s convoy passes through, are Taft Avenue, Quirino Avenue, Osmena Highway, a portion of the South Luzon Expressway, Magallanes and Sales Bridge.

Other roads to be closed at 4:30 a.m. are portions of Roxas Boulevard, NAIA Road, Domestic Road and Andrews Avenue.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said that after the Pope’s convoy has reached the Villamor Airbase from the nunciature, the closed roads will be reopened to traffic.

At 3 p.m. Saturday, in preparation for the Pope’s return to Manila from Tacloban City,  the following will be closed to traffic: Sales Bridge to the Skyway Ramp,  Osmena Highway, Quirino Highway and Taft Avenue leading to the Apostolic Nunciature.

Other roads to be closed at 3 p.m. for the Pope’s 6:15 p.m. arrival at the Villamor Airbase from Tacloban City are: Villamor Airbase Gate 5, Andrews Avenue, Domestic Road, NAIA Road, and a portion of Roxas Boulevard.