The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Office raised the Blue Alert as part of the preparations for Holy Week 2026, signaling heightened readiness across the capital for any emergency or unforeseen event during the religious observances.

The Blue Alert was announced on Tuesday, March 31, to ensure that residents and travelers are aware of the city’s increased monitoring and emergency response measures.

Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso called for stronger coordination among city departments, to ensure that public spaces, transport hubs, and bus terminals, where thousands of commuters are expected to travel to their home provinces, are closely monitored.

“Residents can expect 24-hour monitoring and standby responders throughout the city, ready to act, if necessary,” the city government said.

Emergency units, traffic enforcers, and local government offices remain on high alert to maintain order, manage crowd flow, and respond swiftly to any incidents during the week-long Holy Week activities.

Several major roads in Manila will be closed from April 2 to 3 to make way for the Good Friday procession of the Jesus Nazareno, the Manila Police District announced.

The procession will begin at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo and will traverse key streets, including Villalobos, Carlos Palanca (Ilalim), Quezon Boulevard, Arlegui, Legarda, Hidalgo, and surrounding areas, before returning to Quiapo Church. The full route spans approximately 3.8 kilometers.

Road closures will start at 7 p.m. on April 2, with authorities noting that additional streets will be temporarily closed as the procession passes through various areas.

Among the roads affected are both northbound and southbound lanes of Quezon Boulevard from A. Mendoza/Fugoso to Quezon Bridge, as well as parts of España Boulevard, S.H. Loyola, San Sebastian Street, Legarda, and C. Palanca. Key thoroughfares such as Paterno, Gonzalo Puyat, Evangelista, and Carriedo streets will also be closed during the procession.

Traffic rerouting schemes will be implemented to manage the flow of vehicles. Motorists coming from A. Mendoza are advised to turn right to Fugoso Street, then left to Tomas Mapua Street. Those traveling from Quezon City via España Boulevard may take P. Campa or Nicanor Reyes (Morayta) routes and C.M. Recto Avenue.

Vehicles from P. Burgos Avenue heading to Quezon Bridge are encouraged to use Jones Bridge or MacArthur Bridge, while those from Ayala Bridge may pass through P. Casal or San Marcelino Street, UN Avenue. Meanwhile, motorists from Sta. Mesa are advised to divert to C.M. Recto Avenue instead of using Legarda.

Authorities urge the public to plan their trips ahead of time and expect heavy traffic in areas near the procession route.