Skip Edsa, Ortigas Avenue on Saturday, motorists told

MANILA, Philippines—If you must take Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) on Saturday, leave home early and go home late to avoid hellish traffic.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is closing the northbound lane at the intersection of Edsa and Ortigas Avenue from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to make space for a Church-led rally against the reproductive health bill at the Edsa Shrine.

Both directions on the Edsa-Ortigas flyover, however, will remain open to traffic, the MMDA said.

The agency advised motorists taking Edsa or Ortigas Avenue to take alternative routes.

Alternative routes

Those traveling on the southbound lane of Edsa may turn right to Santolan, left to Ortigas, then right to Edsa; or right to Santolan, left to Ortigas, right to Wilson, left to Guevarra or Luna Mencias, and left to Shaw Boulevard.

Those on the northbound lane may turn right to Pioneer or Shaw, take a U-turn at the Kapitolyo Rotonda, turn right to Meralco Avenue, right to Ortigas, left to Green Meadows, left at Giraffe, right to Temple Drive, left to White Plains and right to Edsa.

Motorists may also make a right turn to J. Vargas, turn right to St. Francis, left to Lourdes, left to San Miguel, right back to J. Vargas, then turn left at Meralco Avenue.

Those traveling westbound on Ortigas Avenue may turn right to Green Meadows, left at Giraffe, right to Temple Drive, left to White Plains, right to Edsa, left to Santolan and right to Granada or Gilmore.

They may also simply make a left turn to Meralco Avenue and turn right to Shaw from there.

Coordination

Those traveling on the eastbound lane of Ortigas, coming from Gilmore, may make a left turn to Santolan, go straight to Boni Serrano, and then C5 Libis; or make a left turn to Santolan, turn right to Edsa, then make a left turn to the Ortigas flyover.

The MMDA met with rally organizers in Makati City Friday afternoon. The organizers told the MMDA they expect some 50,000 participants in Saturday’s rally.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is leading the prayer-rally against passage of the RH bill.

MMDA assistant general manager for operations Emerson Carlos told reporters that vehicles provided by the CBCP and other religious organizations to ferry participants to the rally site would park at White Plains.

Safety

He said the MMDA would deploy 500 traffic enforcers to manage the traffic at Edsa.

Chief Supt. Miguel Laurel, Eastern Police District chief, assured the public that the Edsa Shrine area will be properly secured.

Laurel said he expected the rally to be peaceful, as it is a religious activity.