Several roads in the Binondo area and those leading to the Quirino Grandstand will be closed to vehicular traffic Sunday for the celebration of the Chinese New Year’s Eve which will be highlighted by a parade around Chinatown starting at 9 p.m.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim assured those joining the celebration of their security, saying he has deployed at least 300 uniformed police personnel in anticipation of thousands of revelers in the Binondo district.
Manila Police District Traffic Enforcement Unit (MPD-TEU) head Supt. Reynaldo Nava issued yesterday a traffic advisory for the guidance of motorists.
He advised motorists to avoid the Binondo district if they do not have any important errand in the area.
Nava said that starting at 8 a.m. onward, the Katigbak and South Drives leading to Quirino Grandstand would be closed to vehicular traffic. The entrance for vehicles with passes will be at Katigbak Drive for the reserved parking in front of the MPD police community precinct at Luneta.
From 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, the stretch of Ongpin Street from Quintin Paredes to Sabino Padilla streets will also be closed, he said.
Motorists coming from the south of Manila, intending to pass through the Binondo district over Jones Bridge, will have to turn right to Escolta, straight to Plaza Sta. Cruz, and right through Rizal Avenue to their destination.
Vehicles coming from the north of Manila, intending to pass through the Binondo area from Jose Abad Santos or Reina Regente Streets, may go straight to Plaza Ruiz, Juan Luna Street and to Plaza Cervantes and then turn right to Jones Bridge to their destination.
The parade of Chinese New Year revelers is anticipated to start from Plaza Moraga and pass through Quintin Paredes, Sabino Padilla, Yuchengco, Ongpin, and Sabino Padilla Streets.
On Monday, the Chinese New Year Grand Parade will start from Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz and pass through the streets of Condesa, Ongpin, Sta. Cruz, Dasmariñas, Quintin Paredes and then back to the plaza.