Traffic near Metro Manila cemeteries re-routed for All Saints' Day

MANILA -- Authorities have imposed a traffic re-routing plan on roads near major cemeteries in Metro Manila starting today, October 31, to provide order and convenience to those visiting the graves of their departed loved ones.

In the city of Manila, roads around the Manila North, La Loma and Chinese Cemeteries will be closed to traffic starting 6 a.m. today until the whole day of November 1, according to the operation plan drew up by the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Affected thoroughfares are parts of Aurora Boulevard from Dimasalang to Rizal Avenue; Blumentritt from A. Bonifacio to P. Guevarra; Retiro from Dimasalang to Blumentritt Extension; P. Guevarra from Cavite to Pampanga Streets; and Leonor Rivera from Cavite to Aurora Boulevard.

For commuters heading to the Manila North Cemetery, public utility jeepneys (PUJs) coming from Rizal Avenue/Blumentritt shall take Cavite and turn right on L. Rivera, or Isagani and turn right on Antipolo to point of destination.

Meanwhile, PUJs coming from Amoranto Street in Quezon City shall turn right on Cavite and right on Bonifacio. Those coming from Dimasalang shall turn right on Makiling and right on Maceda to point of destination.

For commuters heading to the La Loma and Chinese Cemeteries, PUJs coming from España shall take AH Lacson, Tayuman, Blumentritt from Cavite to Aurora Boulevard and take either Rizal Avenue or Jose Abad Santos.

On the other hand, PUJs from Quiapo, Sta. Cruz, Tondo and Caloocan shall take Jose Abad Santos or Rizal Avenue Exit.

In the vicinity of Manila South Cemetery, Makati Public Cemetery and Makati Catholic Cemetery, a traffic re-rerouting plan shall also be implemented starting at midnight of October 31.

According to Hermenegildo San Miguel, Makati Department of Public Safety director, the following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic: Kalayaan Avenue – from Zapote Street to F. Zobel St.; South Avenue – from Metropolitan to J.P. Rizal; Vito Cruz – from South Avenue to Zapote St.; N. Garcia (formerly Reposo) Street – from Jupiter to JP Rizal; and Pililia Street – from J.P. Rizal to Kalayaan Avenue.

The following streets will be open to two-way traffic: J.P. Rizal – from Pasong Tirad to Makati Avenue; Kalayaan Avenue – from F. Zobel St. to Makati Avenue and from Pasong Tirad to Zapote St.

San Miguel added that the traffic re-routing will remain in effect until midnight of November 2.

Meanwhile, in Paranaque City, the local government has also re-routed traffic along Dr. A. Santos Ave. (Sucat Road) which leads to the Loyola Memorial Park (LMP), Manila Memorial Park (MMP) and Kabihasnan Avenue, which would take vehicles to the Himlayang Palanyag-Parañaque Public Cemetery.

The traffic re-routing shall take effect from October 31 to November 02.

Starting from Lopez Avenue, PUJs going to Sucat Road shall take the inner lane while all vehicles bound to MMP are advised to take the middle and outer lanes.

All other vehicles bound to Sucat Road and LMP may turn right to Lopez Avenue as an alternate route.

For those coming from Sucat Road area and President's Avenue going to Baclaran, all vehicles bound to MMP shall take the inner and middle lanes.

All other vehicles and PUJs bound to Baclaran shall take the outer lane. They could also take President’s Avenue instead and turn right to corner Aguirre until El Grande to Exit at Lopez Avenue.

Motorists and commuters are urged to comply with regulations and cooperate with traffic and law enforcers.

The number coding scheme in Metro Manila will be suspended on November 1 and 2 as announced earlier by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)