By Madelynne Dominguez
The city government of Antipolo will implement a traffic re-routing plan on Holy Thursday and Good Friday in anticipation of the large number of people expected to visit the city as part of the observance of “Alay Lakad,” an annual Holy week tradition.
Some roads in the Poblacion area will be closed to traffic from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to give way to the event.
All vehicles from the Licos Park going to the Marcos Highway shall take the Circumferential Road, turn right to Sumulong Highway, and turn right again to Olalia Road.
Light vehicles bound for Manila may take the M.L. Quezon Extension going to Angono via Mahabang Parang and Sitio Labahan.
On the other hand, motorists coming from Manila bound for Antipolo, Teresa, and Tanay may also take Cabrera and Marigman Road via Cainta and Taytay Rizal.
The Ortigas Avenue Extension from Kay Tikling area will be closed to traffic.
The existing route for jeepneys and UV Express units from Licos Park to Pinagmisahan Street and Taktak Road will also be suspended on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Only private vehicles will be allowed to pass through Taktak Road on Good Friday.
Antipolo City is known as the Pilgrimage Capital of the country. The local government said that it has created an incident management team composed of various sectors to ensure security and medical assistance during the Holy Week.
Additional public bus units will also be deployed in strategic locations in the city to help transport the devotees who will participate in Alay Lakad.
Those who will need assistance may contact the emergency hotline number of the Antipolo City government at (02) 689-4576 and 0927-7559-911.