Several roads closed in Manila City for Labor Day protests

Several roads in Manila City were temporarily closed on Friday in preparation for the rally to be staged by workers' groups in commemoration of this year's Labor Day. 

According to the Manila Public Information Office, road closures in the following areas will be implemented starting Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 9 p.m.:

CRB Mendiola

• C.M. Recto Avenue, from Nicanor Reyes Street to Mendiola Street
• Legarda Street, from Figueras Street to San Rafael Street
• Liwasang Bonifacio
• Magallanes Drive, from Jones Bridge to MacArthur Bridge

Ayala Bridge

• Ayala Bridge
• Eastbound lane of Ayala Boulevard, from San Marcelino Street to Romualdez Street

A traffic rerouting scheme would instead be implemented in the following areas:

CRB Mendiola

• Vehicles from Quezon Boulevard and C.M. Recto Avenue going to Mendiola Street shall turn right onto Nicanor Reyes Street towards their destination.
• Vehicles from Sta. Mesa via Legarda Street going to C.M. Recto Avenue shall turn right onto Figueras Street, straight to Earnshaw Street, then turn left onto S.H. Loyola Street towards their destination.
• Vehicles from P. Casal Street going to Mendiola Street shall turn left onto San Rafael Street, straight to Bilibid Viejo Street, and turn right onto S.H. Loyola Street or Nicanor Reyes Street towards their destination.

Bonifacio Plaza

• Vehicles from P. Burgos Avenue northbound lane going to Magallanes Drive shall go straight onto Jones Bridge towards their destination.
• Vehicles from C. Muñoz Street shall take P. Burgos Avenue towards their destination.
• Vehicles from MacArthur Bridge going to Magallanes Drive shall go to P. Burgos Avenue southbound lane or turn right onto Victoria Street to their destination.

Ayala Bridge

• Vehicles from Romualdez Street going to Ayala Bridge shall turn left onto Ayala Boulevard, then turn right on Taft Avenue to their destination; or proceed to Natividad Lopez Street, turn right onto Antonio Villegas Street, then turn left onto C. Muñoz Street to their destination.
• Vehicles from San Marcelino Street going to Ayala Bridge shall turn right onto Ayala Boulevard, then turn right on Taft Avenue to their destination; or proceed to San Marcelino Street, turn left on U.N. Avenue to their destination.
• Vehicles from the eastbound lane of Ayala Boulevard going to Ayala Bridge shall turn right on San Marcelino Street to their destination.
• Vehicles from Carlos Palanca Street going to Ayala Bridge shall turn left on P. Casal Street to their destination.
• Vehicles from P. Casal Street going to Ayala Bridge shall turn right onto Carlos Palanca Street towards their destination.

Motorists were also advised to plan their trips in advance, obey traffic personnel, and use alternative routes to avoid inconvenience.

EXPLAINER: Why is Labor Day observed on May 1?

In Mendiola, police are implementing tight security measures in anticipation of the Labor Day protests. Barricades were also set up at the gate of Mendiola, according to an Unang Balita report of Jhomer Apresto.

Before reaching Mendiola, both lanes along a portion of C.M. Recto Avenue, corner San Sebastian St. were also barricaded. 

A portion of Palanca Street towards Malacañang was likewise barricaded.

Various workers' groups gathered across the country on Friday to mark Labor Day 2026, staging rallies and preparing for marches to press for higher wages, job security, and other demands. 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier said its offices and units nationwide are under full alert status starting Thursday to ensure the safety and security of Labor Day activities. Over 106,000 police personnel have been deployed. — VDV, GMA News