MMDA: Traffic plan for papal visit out Monday

The Metro Manila Development Authority will announce which roads will be closed for Pope Francis’ Jan. 15 to 19 visit on Monday, Chairman Francis Tolentino said.

 

In an interview with Radio DZBB on Sunday, Tolentino added that along with the announcement of road closures, the MMDA will also provide alternate routes that motorists can take when the pontiff is in the country.

 

“Bukas i-aanunsyo ang mga isasarang kalsada maging ang mga alternatibong ruta para sa pagbisita ng Santo Papa,” Tolentino said.

 

Tolentino added that the traffic scheme for Leyte will also be announced tomorrow.

 

On the same day, the MMDA will also conduct a dry run of the security protocol for Pope Francis’ motorcade. Tolentino told Metro Manila resident to brace for heavier traffic than usual on Monday, as the dry run will be done during rush hour.

 

“Actual scenario ang ida-dry run bukas sa mga daraanan ng motorcade ng Santo Papa kaya ito itinapat sa rush hour,” he said.

 

Pope Francis will be the third pontiff to visit the country, after Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1981 and 1995.

 

Pope Francis, during his five-day stay in the Philippines, will visit Manila and Tacloban City. — Patricia Denise Chiu/JDS, GMA News