2 QC roads to be closed for May 9 Iglesia event

Motorists, be warned: Stay away from Roces Avenue and Scout Chuatoco in Quezon City on May 9 if you don’t want to get caught in heavy traffic.

In an advisory, the city government announced that these two roads may be closed to vehicles starting at noon on that day to give way to the Iglesia ni Cristo’s “Lingap-Pamamahayag” (Aid to Humanity-Evangelical Mission), a run-up activity to the 128th birth anniversary of its founder, Felix Manalo, the following day.

In preparation for the May 9 event, Mayor Herbert Bautista has ordered the finalization of a traffic management plan as a crowd of at least 50,000 was expected to gather at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Roxas District for relief goods distribution, free dental/medical services and an evangelical mission.

The traffic plan would be drafted by the Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS)  in close coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, city police and barangay officials.

Bautista said that motorists should “brace for heavy traffic” on Roces Avenue that could spill over and affect other roads in Roxas District, including Quezon Avenue.

An initial part of the traffic management plan was to make traffic one-way on a portion of Scout Chuatoco Street, from Mother Ignacia Avenue to Scout Reyes Street, starting at noon on May 9 until the end of the activity.

But DPOS chief Elmo San Diego said that Scout Chuatoco Street, from Mother Ignacia Avenue to Scout Reyes Street, as well as Roces Avenue, may be closed to traffic.

“Basically, motorists should stay away from Roces Avenue and Scout Chuatoco Street on May 9 to avoid being caught in a traffic gridlock,” he added. Jeannette I. Andrade