NLEX traffic starts building up as Iglesia Ni Cristo participants head for centennial venue

Traffic at some parts of the North Luzon Expressway started to build up Saturday noon as members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo flock to Bulacan to mark the religious group's centennial on Sunday.

In a post on its Twitter account, the NLEX said traffic was heavy at the Mindanao Avenue entry as of 12:27 p.m., and advised motorists to take the Balintawak entry.

"As of 12:27pm,  Heavy at Mindanao entry to NLEX. You may take Balintawak entry which is light," it said.

For her part, Cris Natividad of NLEX's operations department told dzBB radio that traffic began to slow down at the Bocaue northbound exit as of noon.

Natividad said they expect the bulk of vehicles heading for the Iglesia Ni Cristo's centennial venue to arrive at the NLEX Saturday afternoon.

"Simula ngayong oras hanggang mamayang maghapon inaasahan natin dadagsa ang motorista," she said.

The NLEX website said that as of 12:48 p.m., traffic was moderate to heavy at the northbound parts of its Marilao and Bocaue sections.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino told GMA News TV's "Balitanghali" traffic may peak starting 3 p.m.

From the Ciudad de Victoria where the Philippine Arena - the venue of the centennial - GMA News' Rida Reyes reported workers were placing the finishing touches as of Saturday morning.

Tents and screens were put up in the areas around the venue. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News