MMDA: Major roads blocked by INC, take alternate routes

MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – Portions of Metro Manila’s major thoroughfare Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) have been blocked by the mass gathering of religious denomination Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) late Sunday afternoon, August 30.

As early as 5:46 pm on Sunday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) urged motorists to take alternate routes, and avoid areas already occupied by the INC protesters.

As of 12:37 am on Monday, August 31, MMDA said the following portions of EDSA are no longer passable:

1. EDSA Ortigas northbound and southbound
2. EDSA Megamall northbound and southbound
3. Shaw underpass southbound
4. Shaw underpass northbound (One lane passable)
5. Shaw service roads northbound and southbound
6. EDSA Timog flyover southbound

As of the 12:37 am advisory, there was heavy traffic along EDSA from Nia road to Kamuning southbound lane, Megamall to Shaw southband lane, as well as Buendia to Shaw northbound lane.

Heavy traffic was also experienced as early as 9:40 pm on Sunday along EDSA from Quezon Avenue to Kamuning southbound lane, Annapolis to Shaw southband lane, as well as Ayala to Shaw northbound lane.

At 9:34 pm Sunday, moderate traffic was experienced at EDSA Harrison-Taft, Farmers-Monte, and Trinoma northbound lanes, as well as moderate to heavy traffic along EDSA Arnaiz-Megamall northbound lane.

Meanwhile, INC protesters rejoiced upon knowing this news.

“Meron kaming magandang balita! Hindi na nadadaanan ang EDSA Ortigas (We have good news! EDSA Ortigas is no longer passable),” shouted the emcee during INC’s continuous program at the intersection of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard, where the powerful church was permitted to hold its rally.

INC members marched from EDSA-Shaw Sunday afternoon to occupy major roads beyond where they were permitted to, in a show of contempt against what they call Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s bias towards an illegal detention complaint against the church leadership.

INC regards this so-called special treatment, including the personal appearance of De Lima during the filing of the complaint before the justice department, as an intrusion into internal matters within the century-old church.

Alternate routes

According to the MMDA, from EDSA southbound lane, motorists can turn right at the following roads and through Mabuhay arrive at desired destinations:

1. West Avenue
2. Timog Avenue
   
3. Kamuning
4. Aurora Boulevard
5. P. Tuazon
6. Santolan
7. Annapolis
8. Connecticut

From EDSA northbound lane, motorists can turn right at the following roads and through C5 arrive at desired destinations:

1. McKinley Road
2. Kalayaan Avenue
3. JP Rizal
4. Pioneer street

Below are visual advisories from MMDA as of 7:23 pm of Sunday:

– Rappler.com