Quezon City issues traffic advisory for Trillion Peso March protest on Feb. 25

The Quezon City government has advised motorists to expect heavy traffic on five thoroughfares when various civil society organizations converge on Wednesday, February 25, for the "Trillion Peso March" on the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolt.

In an advisory issued Saturday, the city government said vehicular flow is expected to slow down starting 8 a.m. near the EDSA People Power Monument, particularly along the following roads:

• Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA)
• Katipunan Avenue
• Ortigas Avenue
• White Plains Avenue
• Temple Drive

The Quezon City (QC) Department of Public Order and Safety had said Friday that it was giving protesters access to the entire one-kilometer stretch of White Plains Avenue. It stressed that this was a departure from the previous setup.

To mitigate the impact to motorists, authorities will set up a zipper lane at White Plains Avenue between EDSA and Katipunan Avenue starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The White Plains closure will also take effect at 6 a.m.

Designated drop off points are: Katipunan Avenue and Temple Drive at the corner of White Plains Avenue; and near the People Power Monument along EDSA.

Parking will be allowed in these areas:

• Temple Drive up to Giraffe Street (light vehicles)
• Bonny Serrano Avenue East-bound - one-side parking (bus parking)
• 18th and 20th Avenue (bus and light vehicles parking)
• Along EDSA from People Power Monument up to GHQ-Gate 3 (friendly forces parking)

Since February 25 is a special working holiday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) advised participants to use the Manila Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) instead of bringing private vehicles.

The city government expects 30,000 to 50,000 individuals to participate in the EDSA gathering as other groups have opted to hold separate rallies in other venues.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) earlier announced that it will be on full alert beginning February 21 in preparation for the upcoming EDSA People Power anniversary rites and the planned Trillion Peso March protests. — VDV, GMA Integrated News