Despite the rainy weather, participants trooped to the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City Saturday noon to register their opposition to the Reproductive Health bill.

Many of the participants wore red to symbolize "martyrdom," and came with their umbrellas and raincoats, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) deployed marshals to the area to keep the event peaceful and orderly.

As of 1 p.m., the MMDA said the corner of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue and the northbound part of Guadix to Ortigas Service Road is temporary closed to traffic due to the prayer rally.

It also said EDSA Shrine to San Miguel eastbound is temporarily closed as well.

But at 1:30 p.m., the MMDA switched to a “modified Plan B,” expanding the area to be closed to traffic.

“We are totally closing Ortigas eastbound from Meralco Avenue towards EDSA. All vehicles diverted to Meralco Ave.,” MMDA traffic discipline office head Yves Gonzalez tweeted.

Rain fell on parts of Metro Manila Saturday, with state weather forecasters saying this was due to the southwest monsoon. — LBG, GMA News