By: Jetaime Kaina Cerbito
Photo from: Manila Public Information Office
In observance of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day celebration, the Manila City Government announced closure of several roads leading to Manila North Cemetery and South Cemetery, from Wednesday, Oct. 30 to Sunday, Nov. 3.
According to the Manila City Government’s advisory through the Manila Public Information Office (MPIO), the following roads going to North cemetery shall be closed for vehicles starting on 12:01 am Oct. 30, until 7:00 pm on Nov. 3:
Stretch of Aurora Blvd. from Dimasalang Rd. to Rizal Ave.
Stretch of Blumentritt Rd. from A. Bonifacio Rd. to P. Guevarra St.
Stretch of Retiro St. from Dimasalang Rd. to Blumentritt Ext.
Stretch of Maceda St. from Makiling St. to Dimasalang Rd.
Stretch of Dimasalang Rd. from Makiling St. to Blumentritt Rd.
Stretch of P. Guevarra St. from Cavite St. to Aurora Blvd.
Reroutes were given to motorists heading to La Loma and Chinese Cemeteries via Rizal Ave. or J. Abad Santos Ave. as entry and exit routes. Those arriving from Blumentritt should follow the reroute by making a left or right turn onto Cavite St., and then a right onto Leonor Rivera.
For trailer trucks and heavy vehicles traveling from A.H. Lacson Avenue planning to take Dimasalang Road, they should continue straight onto Yuseco Street, and vice versa.
Vehicles departing from Dimasalang Road looking to access Blumentritt Road should turn right onto Makiling Street and then proceed straight along Blumentritt Extension.
The Manila North Cemetery will be closed to private vehicles and nearby designated areas for temporary parking are given:
P. Guevarra St. from Blumentritt Rd. to Aurora Blvd.
F Huertas St. from Blumentritt Rd. to Aurora Blvd.
Oroquieta St. from Blumentritt Rd. to Aurora Blvd.
Simoun St. from Dimasalang Rd. to Blumentritt St.
Meanwhile, the following roads leading to Manila South Cemetery shall be closed on Oct. 31 from 12:01 am until 12:00 midnight on Nov. 2.
Kalayaan Avenue – Section from Zapote Street to N. Garcia Street will be closed to traffic and designated for pedestrian use only.
South Avenue – Section from J.P. Avenue to Metropolitan Avenue will be closed to traffic and designated for pedestrian use only.
Vito Cruz Avenue Extension – Section from South Avenue to Zapote Street will be closed to traffic and designated for pedestrian use only.
Pililla Street – Section from Kalayaan Avenue to Baler Street will be closed to traffic and designated for pedestrian use, with access only to designated parking areas.
Motorists are urged to follow the temporary road rerouting plan set by the Makati city government. J.P. Rizal Avenue, between Makati Avenue and Pasong Tirad Street, and Zapote Street, from J.P. Rizal Avenue to Metropolitan Avenue, will temporarily accommodate two-way traffic.
Vito Cruz Avenue Extension, stretching from Pasong Tamo Avenue to Zapote Street, will be a one-way route heading east toward the South Cemetery, with parking available on the north side. Similarly, Metropolitan Avenue will operate as a one-way street from South Avenue to N. Garcia Street, with parking allowed on its north side.
Additional safety reminders include that no vendors are allowed inside the cemeteries, children must have identification tags provided by the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW), and private or political events are prohibited within the cemetery grounds.
Free e-trike rides will be provided for pregnant women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.