Makati closes roads for Holy Week rites

MANILA, Philippines - Motorists who will pass through Barangays Poblacion and Guadalupe Viejo in Makati City should expect heavy traffic as some roads will be closed for Holy Week.

“Kubols” or “kalbaryos” – elaborate tableaus composed of life-sized images depicting scenes of the Passion of Jesus  – will be installed along these roads, the city government said. 

Devotees read out loud or sing verses from the Pasyon in front of these kubols.

In Poblacion, the closed streets are Enriquez (from Don Pedro to Fermina); Burgos (from Makati Avenue to J.P. Rizal); Pagulayan (from Burgos to Gabaldon); D.M. Rivera (from Gabaldon to A. Mabini); Doña Epifania (from Agno to A. Mabini); Ilaya (from A. Mabini to J.P. Rizal); Don Pedro (from Gabaldon to Mañalac), the Makati Public Safety Department (MPSD) said.

Other streets closed from April 9 until April 16 include Osias (from Villena to Don Pedro); Albert (from Villena to Palma); Zamora (from Gomez to Mabini); San Pablo (from J.P. Rizal to San Mateo); P. Gomes (from J.P. Rizal to San Mateo); Ma. Aurora (from Pertierra to M.L. Quezon); Osmeña (from Pertierra to P. Burgos); Molina (from Valdez to Quintos); and San Agustin (P. Burgos to P. Gomes).

The MPSD advised motorists to take alternate routes, while traffic enforcers will be deployed to manage traffic and assist them on the said closed roads.

During the same period, the following streets will be open to two-way traffic: the stretch of J.P. Rizal Avenue from Makati Avenue to Nicanor Garcia street; the entire stretch of Makati Avenue, from Mandaluyong to Makati Central Business District and vice versa; and Kalayaan Avenue.

Meanwhile, the number coding scheme in Makati City is still in effect until tomorrow, Holy Wednesday. It will be suspended on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and will resume on Monday.