Makati gov't, MMDA ready for Pia’s homecoming

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City government and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday expressed readiness to welcome home Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.

Wurtzbach who will arrive on Saturday will be given a victory parade on Monday. The victory parade will pass through Ayala Avenue in the afternoon.

On Tuesday, Wurtzbach will pay a courtesy call on Makati Mayor Romulo Peña.

In a statement, Peña said city residents and employees are very eager to see Wurtzbach following her recent victory at the Miss Universe beauty contest in the United States.

“Makati is very proud of Ms. Wurtzbach for reclaiming the Miss Universe crown for the Philippines after 42 long years. She has inspired millions of people around the world, including the people of Makati, with her indomitable spirit and extraordinary determination to realize her dream,” Peña said.

Peña said city government employees are also excited to see the newly-crowned Miss Universe when she comes to his office for a courtesy call on Tuesday.

Wurtzbach is expected to arrive at City Hall at around 11:30 a.m., accompanied by officials of the Miss Universe Organization and Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc.

Meanwhile, the MMDA will deploy 135 traffic enforcers to secure Wurtzbach convoy for the grand victory parade that will start at 1:30 p.m. from the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City. 

Wurtzbach’s float and the other vehicles joining her convoy will then make its way to Roxas Boulevard then proceed towards Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia) in Makati.

The float will then stop at the Makati Fire Station along Ayala Avenue before proceeding towards Rustan’s where the parade will end. According to the Makati City Hall, the portion of Ayala Avenue from the Makati Fire Station to Rustan’s will be closed to traffic at 3:00 p.m. 

According to the MMDA, the parade from Sofitel Hotel will make a left turn to Atang Dela Rama Street, right turn to Vicente Sotto Street, left turn to F. Ma. Guerrero Street, right turn to Bukaneg Street, left turn to Roxas Boulevard, right turn to Padre Burgos Street towards Taft Avenue, right turn to Finance Road, right to Taft Avenue, right turn to Quirino Avenue.

It will then take a left to Roxas Boulevard, left to Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, left turn to Ayala Avenue, u-turn to Ayala-Makati Fire Station, going to Ayala Avenue, to Rustan’s.

The MMDA said aside from that portion of Ayala Avenue, there will be no road closures for both the arrival of Wurtzbach on Saturday and during the homecoming parade.

According to the MMDA, Wurtzbach will be escorted by traffic enforcers from the airport to Cubao in Quezon City passing through EDSA. On EDSA, the MMDA said Wurtzbach’s escorted vehicle would be allowed to use the yellow lane reserved for public utility vehicles.