LIST: Road closures, alternative routes during Xi Jinping’s state visit

MANILA, Philippines —The Manila Police District Traffic Enforcement Unit has announced that it will implement rerouting and road closures on Tuesday during the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi will arrive in the country on Tuesday morning as he is set to conduct a two-day state visit from November 20 to 21 or from Tuesday to Wednesday. He will reportedly stay at the Shangri-La hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

This is the first state visit of a Chinese president in 13 years although Xi visited the country in 2015 when he attended the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit hosted by the country under then President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

READ: Chinese President Xi Jinping sets foot in Manila for APEC

According to Malacañang, Xi will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Park, Manila. He will also be welcomed at the Malacañan where he and President Rodrigo Duterte as well as Cabinet members will hold an expanded bilateral meeting followed by a state banquet for the Chinese president.

On Wednesday, Xi is expected to meet House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Senate President Vicente Sotto III. He is also scheduled to meet the leaders of the Filipino-Chinese community before he leaves the country.

In light of the visit, some roads will be temporarily closed starting November 20. The MPD also realeased alternative routes for motorists passing the affected areas.

Senior Superintendent Benigno “Bong” Durana Jr., Philippine National Police spokesperson, said the police force is “ready to ensure Xi’s visit would be smooth, orderly, safe and secure.”

Below appears the list of roads closed and alternative routes for motorists starting November 20:

Road closures

• North and Southbound lane of Roxas Blvd. and Roxas Boulevard Service Road from  Katigbak Drive to P. Ocampo Street

• North and Southbound lane of Bonifacio Drive from Anda Circle to Katigbak Drive

• East and westbound lane of P. Burgos Avenue from Lagusnilad to Roxas Boulevard

• East and westbound lane of Finance Road from Taft Avenue to P. Burgos Avenue

• East and westbound lane of TM Kalaw Avenue from MH del Pilar to Roxas Boulevard

• East and westbound lane of Pres. Quirino Avenue from MH del Pilar to Roxas Boulevard

• East and westbound lane of P. Ocampo from Mabini to Roxas Boulevard

• East and westbound lane of Ayala Boulevard from Solano to Taft Avenue

• Stretch of Solano from P. Casal Street to J.P Laurel Street

Rerouting of Vehicles

• All vehicles coming from northern part of Manila utilizing Roxas Boulevard southbound lane shall take A. Soriano, go straight Magallanes Drive, right P. Burgos straight to Lagusnilad (Taft Avenue) to point of destination.

• All vehicles coming from FB Harrison shall turn right to P. Ocampo or go straight to Mabini to point of destination.

• All vehicles coming from three (3) bridges (Jones, McArthur & Quezon) going to Roxas Boulevard via P. Burgos shall go straight to Taft Avenue to point of destination

• All vehicles coming from Ayala Boulevard shall turn left or right to Taft Avenue to point of destination.

• All vehicles coming from westbound lane of TM Kalaw shall turn left to MH del Pilar to point of destination.

• All vehicles coming from westbound lane of President Quirino shall turn left to Adriatico to point of destination.

Truck Routes

• All cargo trucks traveling Osmeña Highway –turn right President Quirino Avenue, straight ahead to Nagtahan, AH Lacson, Yuseco St., crossing Jose Abad Santos straight Raxabago, Capulong to point of destinations.

• All cargo trucks intending to utilize southbound truck route coming from pier area shall take the northbound of R-10, then turn right to Capulong straight to Yuseco Street to AH Lacson Avenue to point of destination.

—Rosette Adel