Makati releases traffic rerouting plan for ‘Million People March’

MANILA, Philippines – The Makati City Public Safety Department reminded motorists to take alternate routes on Friday as Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas would be closed to motorists to make way for the “Million People March” protest against pork barrel.

In a Twitter post, Makati City’s traffic department (@MakatiTraffic) quoted Director Hermenegildo San Miguel as saying that the stretch of Paseo de Roxas from the corner of Ayala Avenue to Sedeño Street will be closed to traffic for the setting up of the staging area in front of the Ninoy Aquino statue as early as 10 a.m.

At 2 p.m. onwards, both lanes of Ayala Avenue from Makati Avenue to Herrera Street will also be closed to traffic.

Passenger buses from EDSA shall turn right to Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue toward their destination or turn right to Ayala Avenue, right turn to Makati Avenue, and left turn to Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue toward destination.

All PUBs coming from the South Luzon Expressway, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue and Pasay City shall take Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, turn left to EDSA towards destination.

Meanwhile, public utility jeepneys and light vehicles from J.P. Rizal shall make a right turn to Makati Avenue, right turn to Paseo De Roxas, right turn to Villar St., left turn to E.P. Leviste St., left turn to V.A. Rufino St., then right turn at Ayala Avenue toward destination.

Vehicles from Washington St. shall take right turn to Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, right turn to Ayala Avenue, right turn to Salcedo St., left turn to Benavidez St. toward Esperanza St, right turn to Makati Avenue, right turn to Arnaiz Avenue, right turn Paseo De Roxas, left turn Dela Rosa St., right turn Salcedo St., then left turn at Ayala Avenue toward destination.

All vehicles from McKinley Road going toward CBD/Legaspi Village shall take Arnaiz Avenue, right turn to Paseo De Roxas toward destination and vice versa. Motorists bound for Salcedo Village will be allowed to enter Ayala Avenue then make a right turn to Apartment Ridge, left turn to Sta. Potenciana, then left turn to Paseo De Roxas toward destination.

The public is advised to take the alternate routes to avoid inconvenience and traffic jam in the activity area.

The program is expected to end at around 8 p.m.

Police Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban, Makati City police chief, said roughly 250 police officers are set to be deployed in the vicinity to maintain security during the program.

Based on the organizers of the protest program, the number of participants expected to attend is about 4,000 to 6,000.

Lukban also said that the participant’s assembly time will start at 3 p.m. and the program will start 5:30 p.m.