Several roads in Pasay, Manila closed for Pope Francis’ visit

A white jeepney, one of the three popemobiles to be used by Pope Francis for his visit to the country, arrives under heavy guard at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City for a dry run for his arrival on Jan. 15. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines–To avoid getting caught in heavy traffic, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) advised the public on Monday to take note of roads that would be closed for Pope Francis’ engagements in the metropolis later this week.

As the Pope arrives at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Thursday afternoon, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said that roads around the area would be off limits starting at 3 p.m.

“The 22-kilometer stretch from the Villamor Air Base Gate 5 passing through Andrews Avenue, Domestic Road, Naia Road, Roxas Boulevard, Quirino Avenue and Taft Avenue will be closed for the Pope’s travel to his official residence at the Apostolic Nunciature,” Tolentino announced.

He added that no vehicles would be allowed on adjacent routes like the Sales Bridge, South Luzon Expressway-Skyway-Magallanes, Osmeña Highway and Quirino Avenue.

On Thursday afternoon, the MMDA said that alternate routes would be opened three hours before the Pope’s arrival. From Sucat Road northbound, drivers traveling on Kabihasnan can turn right on Coastal Road, turn left on Pacific Avenue, turn left on Macapagal Boulevard, right on Edsa, left on Arnaiz Avenue, right on Amorsolo Street, left on Rufino Street, right on Chino Roces Avenue, left on JP Rizal, then straight to Tejeron toward their destination.

For those going to the coastal area from Edsa, they can turn left on Macapagal Boulevard, left on Pacific Avenue and then right on Coastal Road to their destination.

From Taft Avenue to Sta. Ana, Manila, vehicles can turn right on P. Ocampo Street, turn right on Arellano Avenue, left on Zobel Roxas, and left on Onyx Street to their point of destination.

As the Pope will be staying at the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila, the MMDA said that the whole block of Taft, Quirino, Leon Guinto and Dagohoy would be closed starting at 1 p.m. on Jan. 14 until 10 a.m. of Jan. 19.

“The Quirino-Taft LRT station will be nonoperational and there will be closure of a portion of Quirino Avenue from Roxas Boulevard to Leon Guinto,” the MMDA said.

For the Pope’s visit to Malacañang on Friday, Taft Avenue, President Quirino Avenue, Nagtahan, JP Laurel, Quirino Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, P. Burgos, Finance Road, Ayala Boulevard, P. Casal and General Solano will be off limits to all vehicles starting at 6 a.m.

For Pope Francis’ activity at the Manila Cathedral on Friday at 11 a.m., the MMDA said that motorists would not be allowed to pass through Gen. Solano, P. Casal, Ayala Bridge, Finance Road, P. Burgos Avenue, Bonifacio Drive, Anda Circle, Andres Soriano Jr. Avenue, JP Laurel St., Nagtahan Bridge, Guazon Avenue, UN Avenue, Maria Orosa, Finance Road and General Luna Street.

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