Portion of Roxas Blvd closed May 6 for INC’s ‘Walk’

A portion of Roxas Boulevard and some areas in Manila and Pasay will be closed to vehicular traffic on May 6 due to Iglesia ni Cristo’s “Worldwide Walk to Fight Poverty,” the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced yesterday.

Jose Arturo Garcia, MMDA OIC general manager, said closure of Roxas Boulevard between Buendia and P. Burgos, both ways, would begin on May 5 at 12 midnight up to May 6 at 10 p.m.

“The INC event is expected to be big since over a million people would join,” he said.

He also said that the “charity walk” will also utilize Quirino Grandstand, Luneta Park, vicinity of Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, parts of Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, Buendia Avenue, Taft Avenue and Road 10.

The agency said it 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.”

On the other hand, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary Tim Orbos also vowed to provide assistance to people joining the walkathon.

Orbos urged the participants to use the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Philippine National Railways (PNR) in going to the venue to avoid being caught in heavy traffic that 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, he said, will also give special trips to passenger buses to ferry the participants.