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Metro Manila cheat sheet: Routes, rules for Pope Francis visit

Bea Cupin

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Metro Manila cheat sheet: Routes, rules for Pope Francis visit
Your guide to the Pope's route, schedule, and the corresponding road closures during Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – When Pope Francis visits the Philippines from January 15 to 19, many parts of the Philippine capital region Metro Manila will be at a standstill.

The country’s main airport will cut operations before and during his arrival and departure from the country on January 15 and 19.

Major thoroughfares will be blocked, air and sea activity constrained and the movement of crowds, closely monitored.

It is one of the most massive security and logistical operations of the Philippine government in recent history.

Whether or not you’re keen on seeing the Pope for yourself during his visit, here’s a quick guide to road closures, traffic rerouting, and other reminders from January 15 to 19:

JANUARY 15 | JANUARY 16 | JANUARY 17 | JANUARY 18 | JANUARY 19

Security officers cling on a special 'Jeepney', a popular and uniquely Filipino mode of mass transport, in which Pope Francis is expected to ride, as it drives on a street in Manila, Philippines, 12 January 2015. Photo by Francis Malasig/EPA

JANUARY 14: The day before the Pope arrives

ROAD CLOSURES

Closed beginning 1:00 pm:
Whole block of Taft, Quirino, Leon Guinto and Dagohoy


JANUARY 15: Pope Francis arrives in the Philippines at 5:45 pm and will proceed from the Villamor Air Base to the Apostolic Nunciature, of the Vatican Embassy. [See the highlights of Pope Francis’ first day in the Philippines, in photos.]

ROAD CLOSURES

Still closed from the day prior:

    • Whole block of Taft, Quirino, Leon Guinto and Dagohoy

POPE’S ROUTE

Closed beginning 3:00 pm:

    • Portion of Quirino Avenue from Roxas Boulevard to Leon Guinto 

Closed from 3:00 pm until the Pope arrives:

    • Andrews Avenue to Airport Road 
    • Domestic Road
    • NAIA Road
    • Roxas Boulevard 
    • Quirino Avenue 
    • Taft Avenue to Apostolic Nunciature

Closed from 5:00 pm until the Pope arrives:

    • Sales Bridge to SLEX
    • SLEX to Magallanes
    • Osmeña Highway
    • Quirino Avenue

Air and sea activity is restricted. No sail zones are declared within 3 nautical miles of the Pope’s areas of engagements. No fly-zones up to an elevation of 18,000 feet.

Do you want to see the Pope?

  • Use tributary roads leading to the Pope’s ceremonial route, but only beginning 2:00 pm 
  • Only occupy the portion of the road assigned for attendees after it has been cleared by security personnel
  • Do not bring firearms. The police have declared all areas and routes involved in the Pope’s visit firearm free zones.

BACK TO TOP


JANUARY 16: Pope Francis heads to Macalañang to meet government officials and diplomatic corps. After, he heads to the Manila Cathedral for a Holy Mass with bishops, priests, and consecrated persons. Finally, he will head to the Mall of Asia Arena for a meeting with families. [See the highlights of Pope Francis’ second day in the Philippines, in photos.]

ROAD CLOSURES

Still closed from the day prior:

    • Whole block of Taft, Quirino, Leon Guinto and Dagohoy 
    • Portion of Quirino Avenue from Roxas Boulevard to Leon Guinto

POPE’S ROUTE

Closed from 6:00 am until the Pope arrives in Malacañang:

    • Taft Avenue 
    • Quirino Avenue to Nagtahan
    • JP Laurel to Malacañang

Closed from 8:00 am until the Pope arrives in Malacañang:

    • Taft Avenue left to Quirino Avenue 
    • Quirino Avenue right to Roxas Boulevard
    • P Burgos to Finance Road to Ayala Boulevard and P Casal
    • Gen Solano to Malacañang

Closed from 8:00 am until the Pope arrives in Manila Cathedral:

    • Gen Solano 
    • P. Casal to Ayala Bridge to Ayala Boulevard to Finance Road
    • P. Burgos Avenue
    • Bonifacio Drive to Anda Circle
    • Andres Soriano Jr. Avenue to Manila Cathedral

Closed from 9:30 am until the Pope arrives in Manila Cathedral:

    • JP Laurel Street
    • Nagtahan Bridge 
    • Guazon Avenue to UN Avenue 
    • Maria Orosa to Finance Road to Gen Luna Street to Manila Cathedral

Closed from 10:00 am until the Pope arrives in the Apostolic Nunciature:

    • Gen Solano
    • Soriano Avenue
    • Anda Circle 
    • Bonifacio Drive
    • Roxas Boulevard
    • Quirino Avenue 
    • Taft Avenue

Closed from 12:00 nn until the Pope arrives in the Apostolic Nunciature:

    • Gen Luna 
    • P. Burgos
    • Finance Road
    • Taft Avenue

2:00 pm Ceremonial route to Malacanang
6:30 am Macapagal corner EDSA Extension to SM MOA Arena

    • Taft Avenue to Quirino Avenue 
    • Quirino Avenue 
    • Roxas Boulevard 
    • EDSA Extension
    • EDSA 
    • JW Diokno Boulevard

Closed from 4:00 pm until the Pope arrives in the SM MOA Arena:

    • Taft Avenue towards Quirino Avenue 
    • P. Ocampo Street to Bukaneg Street
    • JW Diokno Boulevard to SM MOA Arean

Air and sea activity is restricted. No sail zones are declared within 3 nautical miles of the Pope’s areas of engagements. No fly-zones up to an elevation of 18,000 feet.

Do you want to see the Pope?

  • If you’re coming from the north, use Macapagal Boulevard until 3:00 pm to reach MOA
  • If you’re coming from the south, use the drop-off point in the ESDA Extension/Diokno Avenue area 
  • Attendees can beginning entering the MOA Arena at 11:00 am; gates close 3:30 pm 
  • Use tributary roads leading to the Pope’s ceremonial route, but only beginning 1:00 pm 
  • Only occupy the portion of the road assigned for attendees after it has been cleared by security personnel
  • Do not bring firearms. The police have declared all areas and routes involved in the Pope’s visit firearm free zones.

BACK TO TOP


JANUARY 17: Pope Francis travels to the Typhoon Yolanda-hit province of Leyte where he will lead a Mass, meet with typhoon survivors, priests, consecrated persons, seminarians, and families of Yolanda survivors. [The pope, however, cut short his trip to Leyte due to Tropical Storm Amang (Mekkhala). See the highlights of Pope Francis’ third day in the Philippines, in photos.]

ROAD CLOSURES

Still closed from the day prior:

    • Whole block of Taft, Quirino, Leon Guinto and Dagohoy 
    • Portion of Quirino Avenue from Roxas Boulevard to Leon Guinto

POPE’S ROUTE

Closed from 4:30 am until the Pope reaches Villamor Air Base:

    • Taft Avenue 
    • Quirino Avenue 
    • Osmeña Highway 
    • SLEX to Magallanes 
    • SLEX to Sales Bridge 
    • Villamor Air Base Gate 5

Closed from 6:00 am until the Pope reaches Villamor Air Base:

    • Taft Avenue to Villamor Air Base
    • Quirino Avenue 
    • Roxas Boulevard
    • NAIA Road
    • Domestic Road
    • Andrews Avenue 
    • Villamor Air Base Gate 5

Closed from 3:00 pm until the Pope reaches the Apostolic Nunciature:

    • Sales Bridge onto Skyway Ramp 
    • Osmeña Highway 
    • Quirino Avenue 
    • Taft Avenue to Apostolic Nunciature

Closed from 5:00 pm until the Pope reaches the Apostolic Nunciature:

    • Villamor Air Base Gate 5 
    • Airport Road to Andrews Avenue 
    • Domestic Road
    • NAIA Road
    • Roxas Boulevard
    • Quirino Avenue 
    • Taft Avenue to Apostolic Nunciature

Air and sea activity is restricted, including in Leyte. No sail zones are declared within 3 nautical miles of the Pope’s areas of engagements. No fly-zones up to an elevation of 18,000 feet.

BACK TO TOP


JANUARY 18: Pope Francis’ last full day in the country. He will meet with leaders of different religions at the University of Santo Tomas, followed by a meeting with the youth in the same university. He then goes to the Rizal Park where the Concluding Mass will be held.

ROAD CLOSURES

Still closed from the day prior:

    • Whole block of Taft, Quirino, Leon Guinto and Dagohoy 
    • Portion of Quirino Avenue from Roxas Boulevard to Leon Guinto

POPE’S ROUTE

Closed from 6:30 am until the Pope arrives in UST:

    • Taft Avenue 
    • Quirino Avenue to Nagtahan to Lacson Avenue 
    • España to UST Gate

Closed from 8:30 am until the Pope arrives in UST:

    • Taft Avenue 
    • Quezon Bridgt to Quezon Boulevard
    • Lerma Street to España Boulevard to UST

Closed from 10:30 am until the Pope arrives in Luneta:

    • Taft Avenue left turn to Quirino Avenue 
    • Roxas Boulevard
    • Kalaw Avenue
    • Maria Orosa Street
    • P. Burgos
    • Roxas Boulevard
    • South Drive to Ocean Park entrance

Closed from 8:30 am until the Pope arrives in Luneta:

    • Taft Avenue 
    • UN Avenue to Maria Orosa Street
    • P. Burgos
    • Roxas Boulevard
    • South Drive to Ocean Park entrance

Air and sea activity is restricted. No sail zones are declared within 3 nautical miles of the Pope’s areas of engagements. No fly-zones up to an elevation of 18,000 feet.

Do you want to see the Pope?

  • See the full list of guidelines during the Pope’s visit to UST here
  • See the full list of guidelines during the mass in Luneta here
  • Use tributary roads leading to the Pope’s ceremonial route, but only beginning 1:00 pm 
  • Only occupy the portion of the road assigned for attendees after it has been cleared by security personnel
  • Do not bring firearms. The police have declared all areas and routes involved in the Pope’s visit firearm free zones.

BACK TO TOP


JANUARY 19: Pope Francis returns to the Vatican

ROAD CLOSURES

Closed until 10:00 am:

    • Whole block of Taft, Quirino, Leon Guinto and Dagohoy 
    • Portion of Quirino Avenue from Roxas Boulevard to Leon Guinto

POPE’S ROUTE

Closed from 6:00 am until the Pope arrives in Villamor Air Base: 

    • Taft Avenue 
    • Quirino Avenue 
    • Roxas Boulevard
    • NAIA Road
    • Domestic Road
    • Airport Road to Andrews Avenue 
    • Villamor Air Base Gate 5

Closed from 8:00 am until the Pope arrives in Villamor Air Base: 

    • Taft Avenue 
    • Quirino Avenue 
    • Osmeña Highway 
    • SLEX to Magallanes
    • SLEX to Sales Bridge 
    • Villamor Air Base Gate 5

Air and sea activity is restricted. No sail zones are declared within 3 nautical miles of the Pope’s areas of engagements. No fly-zones up to an elevation of 18,000 feet. – Rappler.com

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Bea Cupin

Bea is a senior multimedia reporter who covers national politics. She's been a journalist since 2011 and has written about Congress, the national police, and the Liberal Party for Rappler.