It's nearly Undas, a.k.a. that time of year when people around the Philippines head to cemeteries to pay respects to their dearly departed, and while it's one of those few moments in the year when we can spend time with the family, more often than not, we end up spending quality time together on traffic-plagued streets.
To help you prepare, here are things you should know about Metro Manila roads for the upcoming weekend, from how the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is gearing up, to various traffic schemes in the Metro's cities.
Suspended Number-coding Scheme
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has suspended number-coding for all vehicles on November 1. For people moving in and out of the Metro, number-coding for provincial buses has also been suspended on October 31 and November 4. "A no-day off, no absent policy will be enforced among our traffic enforcers on October 31, November 1 and November 4," said Danilo Lim, MMDA chairman, in a statement on the MMDA Facebook page.
Around 2,300 MMDA personnel will be deployed to certain areas in the city for the holidays. Aside from monitoring transport hubs, you will also spot them at the Metro's biggest cemeteries: the Manila North Cemetery, Manila South Cemetery, Bagbag Public Cemetery in Quezon City, Loyola Memorial Park, and San Juan Public Cemetery.
On the hopefully slim chance you will need medical assistance, public assistance centers and ambulances will available be at the Manila North Cemetery, Loyola Memorial in Marikina, Bagbag Pubic Cemetery, San Juan Public Cemetery, Philtranco in Pasay and Araneta Terminal Stations.
Traffic Schemes
In Marikina City, traffic schemes are in place for people who wish to pass through or head to the Loyola Memorial Park along A. Bonifacio Avenue. A one-way traffic scheme along A. Bonifacio Avenue up to the Sumulong Highway will be implemented from 12 p.m., October 31, to 6 p.m. November 3.
In Makati, several traffic rerouting schemes will be implemented from 12:01 a.m., October 31 to 12 a.m., November 2. Several roads will be closed to traffic: South Avenue, from Metropolitan Avenue to J.P. Rizal Street; Kalayaan Avenue, from Zapote Street to N. Garcia Street; and the Vito Cruz Avenue Extension, from Zapote Street to South Avenue.
Vehicles will not be allowed inside the Manila North Cemetery, according to a report by the Philippine News Agency, so prepare yourself for a bit of a trek if that's where you're headed.
