We’ve entered a new year yet again, and this also means that the Feast of the Black Nazarene is on its way. For us motorists in the metro—specifically in Manila City—we’re well aware that the heavy traffic that comes along with the celebration.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has released a traffic advisory for the upcoming festivities on January 9, 2020, and if you’re driving in Manila on Thursday, take note of the official route of the procession—you can check out the official Facebook post below:
The procession will begin at the Quirino Grandstand and will pass through Padre Burgos Street, Ayala Boulevard, and Carlos Palanca Street before going around the side streets of Quiapo. It will eventually go around Plaza Miranda via Quezon Boulevard before making its last stop at Quiapo Church.
In a previous statement, the MMDA announced the official road closures and inaccessible areas for this year’s Traslacion.
Road closures and inaccessible areas for 2020 Traslacion
- Quirino Grandstand
- Katigbak Road through Padre Burgos Street
- Finance Road through Ayala Boulevard
- Carlos Palanca Street
- Quezon Boulevard
- Arlegui Street
- Fraternal Street
- Vergara Street
- Duque de Alba Street
- Castillejos Street
- Farnecio Street
- Arlegui Street
- Nepomuceno Street
- Concepcion Aguila Street
- Cancer Street
- Hidalgo Street through Plaza Del Carmen
- Bilibid Viejo through Gonzalo Puyat Street
- JP de Guzman Street
- Hidalgo Street
- Carlos Palanca Street through under Quezon Bridge
- Villalobos Street through Plaza Miranda at Quiapo Church
The agency also announced that there will be 1,000 MMDA personnel and volunteers on the ground on the day of the feast, and that street sweepers and road-clearing groups will be tailing the procession for its entire duration.
If you can, you should just avoid driving in Manila on this day. If not, plan your trips wisely—you’ve been warned.
