A PORTION of Roxas Boulevard and some areas in Manila and Pasay will be closed to vehicular traffic for the Iglesia ni Cristo’s (INC) Worldwide Walk to Fight Poverty on May 6, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Tuesday.
Jojo Garcia, newly named MMDA general manager, said closure of Roxas Boulevard between Buendia and P. Burgos, both ways, would start at midnight on May 5 up to 10 p.m. on May 6.
“The INC event is expected to be big, since over a million people are expected to join,” Garcia said.
The charity walk will also utilize Quirino Grandstand, Luneta Park, vicinity of the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, parts of Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, Buendia Avenue, Taft Avenue and Road 10.
“We need the cooperation of the public. Stay away from Roxas Boulevard and some areas in Manila and Pasay if you do not have any business or anything important to do there,” he said.
For the event, Garcia added the MMDA will deploy 200 personnel composed of traffic enforcers, road-emergency group and roadside-clearing group to guide motorists, help maintain peace and order, and do post-activity cleanup in the area.
“We have also coordinated with the local government units of Manila and Pasay to help manage traffic and ensure the safety of the participants,” he said.
Transportation Undersecretary Thomas M. Orbos vowed to provide assistance to people joining the walkathon. Orbos urged the participants to use the Metro Rail Transit, Light Rail Transit and Philippine National Railways in going to the venue to avoid being caught in heavy traffic the event may cause.
“We urge them not to bring their vehicles and just park their vehicles away from the venue,” Orbos said.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board can also give special trips to passenger buses to ferry the participants, he added.
