Some Iloilo City roads closed to traffic for PNoy-led Independence Day rites

Several major roads in Iloilo City will be closed to traffic starting 6 p.m. Thursday, June 11, for the Independence Day rites to be led by President Benigno Aquino III the following day.

The Iloilo City government on Wednesday afternoon posted the traffic rerouting plan as it prepares to host Philippine officials led by Aquino as well as members of the diplomatic corps.

City traffic office OIC for operations Donna Lyn Rose Acap said the traffic rerouting plan will be from 6 p.m. Thursday to 2 p.m. Friday.


Streets to be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic during the celebration include:
- corner Huervana Street, La Paz up to corner General Luna Street
- corner Rizal and La Paz/Promenade up to corner Muelle Loney/Peralta
- corner Quezon Street up to F. Caram Street

"No Entry" streets include:
- Rizal Lapuz/Rizal statue
- Iznart in front of Cabalum College
- corner Iznart and Montinola Streets
- corner Iznart and Solis Streets
- corner Iznart and Yulo Streets
- corner Iznart and Arroyo Streets
- corner Iznart and Arsenal Streets
- corner Iznart and Aldeguer Streets
- corner Iznart and Guanco Streets
- Luna Lapaz/Gaisano Capital
- corner Rizal Lapaz and Drilon Bridge

No entry to jeepneys:
- corner Quezon and General Luna
- corner Delgado and Iznart

No entry to trucks and trailers:
- from Baldoza Lapaz up to Huervana going to Lapuz
- from Peralta Street up to Quirino Bridge going to Lapuz
- from Rizal Lapuz/Rizal statue going to Muelle Loney

Rerouting for jeeps:
- Jaro CPU, Jaro Liko, NFA, Tagbak and Ungka PUJs from Jaro area shall pass E. Lopez towards Luna/Gaisano City, turn left to Huervana, and turn left to Rizal Lapaz Public Market where they can load or unload passengers. In going back, they shall pass Luna St., their normal route straight towards E. Lopez to their place of origin.

- La Paz PUJs from Huervana can turn right to Lapaz Public Market where they can load or unload passengers. They can turn left to Luna Lapaz Gaisano, turn left to Huervana, and pass to their normal route towards their place of origin.

- Barrio Obrero/Lapuz PUJs from Jalandoni Lapuz shall turn right at Rizal Lapuz/statue where they can load or unload their passengers.

- Baluarte Derecho/SM Arrastre PUJs from General Luna shall turn right to Quezon St., left to Delgado, right to JM Basa to Plaza Libertad. In going back they shall turn right to Rizal, right to JM Basa, left to Ledesma, and pass their usual route.

- Villa Mohon PUJs from General Lunz shall turn right to Quezon, left to Rizal, and in going back shall turn left to Valeria, left to Delgado, right to Jalandoni and pass their usual routes.

Private vehicles can enter the city proper except at streets where the celebration is being held and on streets declared No Entry to all types of vehicles.

On Friday, Aquino's itinerary includes the Independence Day program at Sta. Barbara town and a vin d'honneur with dignitaries at the old Iloilo Capitol.

This will be the first time the vin d'honneur will be held in Iloilo. The ceremony is usually held in Malacañan Palace on Independence Day and New Year. — Joel Locsin/BM, GMA News