Some roads around the Quiapo district will be closed to all vehicles at 12 noon on Wednesday in preparation for the traditional procession of the Black Nazarene on the feast day of Quiapo, Jan. 9.
According to Superintendent Roberto dela Rosa, chief of the Northern Manila Traffic Enforcement Unit, the roads that will be closed are the stretches of España from Lerma and from P. Campa to Quezon Boulevard, Andalucia to Fugoso, Palanca to Estero Cegado; the Isetann Service Road in Recto in the southbound lane of Quezon Boulevard from Legarda to San Rafael, and P. Casal to Palanca; C. Aguila and Arlegui streets.
“At exactly 11 a.m. on Wednesday the southbound lane of Quezon Boulevard shall be restricted to all public utility vehicles,” Dela Rosa added.
All vehicles passing España to Quiapo shall turn left on Nicanor Reyes (Morayta), left on C.M. Recto, right on Legarda and proceed to P. Casal.
All vehicles coming from Dimasalang or Blumentritt going to Quezon Boulevard shall use the “sub-way” straight to Recto and right to Oroquieta.
Motorists going to Divisoria via Quiapo should, upon reaching the Isetann Service Road, go straight to Recto, make a U-turn to Nicanor Reyes and proceed to Divisoria.
Upon the closure of Nepomuceno and Bilibid Viejo, all public utility jeepneys coming from SH Loyola to Quiapo shall turn left on C.M. Recto and left on Legarda.
All vehicles coming from Legarda to P.Casal or Palanca shall pass Ayala bridge, straight to Taft Avenue, right on P. Burgos via Quezon bridge, straight to northbound service road of Quezon Boulevard and right to C.M. Recto.
All vehicles coming from San Juan shall pass Legarda or P. Casal as their turning point.
Dela Rosa reminded all traffic personnel to keep the vehicles always moving to avoid clogging and always keep the intersection open. He also said that the northbound lane of Quezon Boulevard shall remain open to all vehicles coming from Plaza Lawton or the southern part of Manila.
Meanwhile, the traffic unit announced that the route of the procession shall start at the Quiapo church, then on to Villalobos, right on Palanca, right on P. Gomez, right on Paterno, right on Quezon Boulevard, left on Globo de Oro, left on Gunao, right on Arlegui, right on Fraternal, left on Vergara, left on Duque de Alba, left on Castillejos, left on Fornecio, right on Arlegui, left on Nepomuceno, left on Aguila, right on Carcer, right on Hidalgo, left on Barbosa, right on Globo de Oro, right on Palanca, right on Villalobos and back to the church. – Nestor Etolle