THE Road and Traffic Administration (RTA) announced a temporary traffic scheme in preparation for the annual Black Nazarene procession on Thursday, January 9, which is expected to draw thousands of devotees.

The procession will begin at 6 am from St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral and pass through Fernandez Street, Don Apolinar Velez Street, and CM Recto Avenue before reaching Jesus Nazareno Church in Barangay Lapasan.

Simultaneous road closures will take effect starting 4 am and remain in place until the procession concludes. The affected roads include:

  1. Fernandez Street from Capistrano Street to Velez Street
  2. Don A. Velez Street from Fernandez Street to CM Recto Avenue
  3. CM Recto Avenue from Don A. Velez Street to Osmeña Street
Graphics courtesy of RTA

Additional road closures will be implemented from 1 pm on January 8 to 9 am on January 9 along:

  1. Fernandez Street from Capistrano Street to Tiano Bros. Street
  2. Capistrano Street from Gaerlan Street to Fernandez Street
  3. Rizal Street from San Agustin Street to Fernandez Street
Graphics courtesy of RTA

The RTA also imposed no parking zones along several streets from 1 pm on January 8 to 9 am on January 9:

  1. Fernandez Street between Capistrano and Don A. Velez Streets
  2. Capistrano Street between Gaerlan and Fernandez Streets
  3. Rizal Street between San Agustin and Fernandez Streets

Temporary two-lane road closures will also be in place:

1 am to 9 am on January 9: CM Recto Avenue (westbound from Osmeña to Corrales Streets)

5 am to 9 am on January 9: CM Recto Avenue (eastbound from Corrales Avenue to Osmeña Streets)

Graphics courtesy of RTA

The RTA issued a rerouting scheme for public utility vehicles (PUVs) passing along CM Recto Avenue. PUVs must:

  1. Turn right at Osmeña Extension
  2. Turn left at Gaabucayan Street
  3. Turn left at J. Pacana Street before proceeding to their destinations

Truck drivers were reminded of no-entry zones from 5 am to 9 am on January 9:

Eastbound trucks: No entry from R.N. Pelaez Street to Velez Street
Westbound trucks: No entry from Valenzuela Road to Osmeña Street

All trucks were advised to take the Coastal Road or reroute through Valenzuela Road to avoid the procession route.

Private vehicle owners were encouraged to use alternate routes, and the RTA stressed that all closed roads will reopen immediately once the procession ends or during emergencies.

The RTA also warned that adjustments to the traffic scheme may be made to ease congestion.

“Take extra precautions as we anticipate a large number of devotees for the Black Nazarene feast,” the RTA’s statement reads.