INC Anniversary Celebration: Avoid Calamba's Ashton Field, motorists urged

MANILA, Philippines - Hundreds of motorists in Southern Luzon were advised yesterday to avoid the six-hectare Ashton Field in Calamba City, Laguna to prevent heavy traffic during the 95th founding anniversary celebration of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) today.

Chief Superintendent Perfecto Palad, Calabarzon police director, advised the public to postpone their non-important travel plans today to avoid traffic buildup in Barangay Tulo and neighboring areas.

“If they have a very important business to attend to, motorists should religiously abide by the traffic rerouting scheme prepared for the event to make their travel convenient,” Palad said.

The INC anniversary celebration will start at 6 a.m. and will last till midnight.

INC officials expect at least 3,000 vehicles from the Calabarzon area to flock to the Asthon Field.

To avoid traffic gridlocks, police urged INC members coming from the West Quezon district to use the Lucena City route to San Pablo City and Calamba City.

Those coming from the Batangas district should take the Lipa City route, passing through the Star Toll Highway, while those from the North Quezon district should take the highway from Real, passing through Siniloan, Sta. Cruz, and Los Baños toward Calamba.

INC members from Laguna were advised to take the highway in Famy, Siniloan, Pagsanjan, Sta. Cruz, Los Baños, and Victoria, heading to Calamba. 

In case of traffic build-up, Palad said the Highway Patrol Group-4A would re-route traffic and advise motorists on what roads to take.

Palad said Metro Manila-bound vehicles coming from the Bicol region will be diverted from Lucena City to Tayabas, Quezon toward Rizal.

Vehicles coming from Manila going to Lucena City may pass through Calamba City toward Los Baños, Calauan and San Pablo City, while light vehicles from Manila heading to Batangas City should take the South Expressway and the Sta. Rosa exit toward Tagaytay-Talisay. – With Ed Amoroso