MMDA: Malls, schools near Luneta should open parking spaces

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday asked schools and shopping malls located near the Rizal Park to open their parking areas to attendees in the Papal Mass on Sunday.

In a final press briefing in Manila, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said shopping malls in the vicinity of Rizal Park should open more parking areas.

Tolentino added that schools such as Sta. Isabel College, St. Scholastica’s College, Adamson University, Philippine Womens University, Manila Science High School, and the Technological University of the Philippines should open their parking areas to accommodate the vehicles of those attending the Papal Mass.

Tolentino is certain that attendees to the Rizal Park Mass would not mind paying for additional parking spaces inside the campuses as well as at the shopping malls.

“Kung meron pong mga eskwelahan na may mga malalaking parking space, kung pwede po ipagamit sa mga kababayan nating mga may sasakyan kahit po maningil sila. Malaking bagay po yung may maparadahan yung ating mga kababayan,” said Tolentino.

“Ganun din po sa mga malls na sarado. Additional parking area po yung SM Arroceros in Manila, Robinsons Manila at marami pang iba,” added Tolentino.

Meanwhile, the MMDA revealed the roads to be closed for the Pope’s activities at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the Mass at the Quirino Grandstand at the Rizal Park that will be both held on Sunday.

Pope Francis will be at the UST from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. While at the UST, the Pope will meet with various religious leaders and the youth.

After his activities at the UST, the Pope will be at the Rizal Park for the scheduled 3:30 p.m. Mass.

Tolentino said the MMDA estimates the crowds at the UST and those lining the route of the Pope’s motorcade from the Apostolic Nunciature along Taft Avenue to the university along Espana Boulevard to be at least 500,000.

“Sa bawat side po [of the road lanes], kasya ang 20,000 so kung 10.81 kilometer mga 500,000 ang expected natin doon,” he said.

Meanwhile, the MMDA said the 10.81-kilometer principal route of the Papal motorcade from the Apostolic Nunciature to the UST will pass through Taft Avenue, Pres. Quirino Avenue, Nagtahan, A.H Lacson Avenue and Espana Boulevard. These roads, the MMDA said, will be closed to traffic at 6:30 a.m.

Other roads around the UST that will also be closed at 6:30 am are: Taft Avenue, Quezon Boulevard and Lerma. The MMDA said these roads would be used by the vehicles of the Pope’s secondary delegation.

Alternate routes identified by the MMDA for the roads closed leading to the UST are:

(Along President Osmena Highway Northbound)- Along Osmena Highway, turn right at San Andres, turn left at A. Francisco, left at Onyx, turn right at Pedro Gil, straight to New Panaderos, left at P. Sanchez, left at V. Mapa, right at Aurora Boulevard, left at G. Araneta Avenue, left at E. Rodriguez, right at D. Tuazon to destination.

(Along Taft Avenue northbound)- Along Taft Avenue, turn at Vito Cruz, left at Arellano, left at Estrada, right at Singalong, right at Esguerra, left at Angel Linao,to Gen. Luna, turn right at Romualdez, right at P. Casal, straight to Legarda, left at C.M. Recto, right at Rizal Avenue to destination.

(Along Quezon Avenue Southbound)- Along Quezon Avenue, take Araneta Avenue, right at Aurora Boulevard, straight to Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard to Legarda, to destination.

(From Divisoria to Cubao)- Take J. Abad Santos, left at C.M. Recto, straight to Legarda to destination.

(Along Quezon Boulevard Southbound) – Along Quezon Boulevard, turn left at Carlos Palanca Sr., right at P. Casal straight to Ayala Boulevard, left at San Marcelino to destination.

(From Welcome Rotonda Southbound)- From Welcom Rotunda, take E. Rodriguez Avenue, right to Matimyas, take Plaza Noli, right at J. Fajardo, left at A.H. Lacson, to Legarda, to destination.

(All Vehicles Utilizing A. H. Lacson Avenue from Dimasalang/Tayuman going Taft Avenue)

From Dimasalang, crossing A. H. Lacson, take Nicanor Roxas (Laong Laan), turn left at Andalucia to destination

From Tayuman, take A. H. Lacson, turn right at Andalucia, to destination.

(All Vehicles Utilizing A. H. Lacson Avenue from Dimasalang/Tayuman going Quezon Avenue)

Along A. H. Lacson, turn left at Nicanor Roxas (Laong Laan), turn right at Mayon Avenue, to Quezon Avenue, to destination.

(Along Roxas Blvd. Northbound)

Along Roxas Blvd., turn right at Vito Cruz, turn left at Arellano, left at Estrada, turn right at Singalong, right at Esguerra, turn left at Angel Linao, to Gen. Luna, to Romualdez, turn left at N. Lopez, turn right at Padre Burgos, take Jones Bridge, to destination.

(From Quiapo to Cubao)

From Quipo, take Quezon Blvd., turn right at C. M. Recto, straight to Legarda, to Cubao, to destination.

From the Nunciature to the Quirino Grandstand, the Papal motorcade would be taking a 10.18-kilometer route that would pass through Taft Avenue, Quirino Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, Kalaw Avenue, Maria Orosa St., P. Burgos St., Roxas Boulevard, UN Avenue and the South Drive. These roads will be closed at 10:30 am.

Alternate routes set by the MMDA are:

(Along Taft Avenue Northbound)- Along Taft Avenue, turn right at Vito Cruz, turn left at Arellano Avenue, left at Estrada, turn right at Singalong, right at Esguerra, turn left at Angel Linao, to Gen. Luna, turn right at Romualdez St., straight to N. Lopez, to destination.

(Along Quezon Blvd. Southbound)- Along Quezon Blvd., turn left at C. Palanca, turn right at P.Casal, straight to Ayala Blvd., turn left at San Marcelino St., to destination.

(Along R-10 Eastbound) - Along R-10, take service road then turn left at C. M. Recto turn left at Legarda, turn right at Nagtahan, to Pres. Quirino Avenue, to destination.

(Along Roxas Blvd. Northbound)-Along Roxas Blvd., turn right at Vito Cruz, right at Arellano, turn left at Zobel Roxas, left at Pres. Osmeña Highway, turn right at Pres. Quirino Avenue, to Nagtahan, turn left at Legarda, turn right to C. M. Recto, to destination.