Heavy traffic expected as Makati celebrates foundation day

Heavy traffic is expected today in Makati City’s central business district as the local government kicks off a month-long celebration of the city’s 334th founding anniversary with a parade of 33 floats and kalesas (horse carriages) in the late afternoon.

Senior Inspector Estela Lomat, Makati City - Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), said yesterday that only one lane would be passable in selected streets to give way to the Flores de Mayo parade, which is being held in observance of the National Heritage month.

"We were told that 33 floats and kalesas, sponsored by the city government and different establishments in Makati City would be participating," Lomat said.

The participants would assemble at Rockwell and proceed to Kalayaan, Makati Avenue, Paseo de Roxas, Ayala Avenue, and Makati Avenue before reaching their final destination in Greenbelt.

"This would definitely be a cause of heavy traffic because the parade is scheduled during the rush hours, from 4 to 7 p.m. But there is no need to plan for alternative routes because only one lane would be closed to traffic," Lomat said.

She added that they could interrupt the flow of the parade to give way to motorists.

Today’s event is expected to surpass the traffic gridlock experienced last Thursday when some 10,000 supporters of presidential candidate Eduardo Villanueva staged a rally along Ayala Avenue and the tail end of the traffic reached Roxas Boulevard.

The TEU chief, however, assured the public that they are coordinating with the Makati Public Safety (MAPSA) office of the city government and the Makati Parking Authority (MAPA) of Ayala Corp. to minimize the discomfort to motorists and the riding public.