MANILA – The Manila City local government unit (LGU) and the Antipolo local government announced road closures on Thursday, April 2, 2026, in connection with Holy Week activities. Manila said closures will start at 7:00 p.m. ahead of a Jesus Nazareno procession on Friday, April 3, while Antipolo said its closures for Alay Lakad 2026 will begin at 5:00 p.m. Thursday.
The measures affect key thoroughfares in central Manila and the corridor leading to the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo, part of the traditional Holy Week pilgrimage route for thousands of devotees. Exercising their traffic management authority under the Local Government Code of 1991, both LGUs advised motorists to plan trips and use designated alternate routes as they prioritize pedestrian safety and crowd control during the religious observances.
Manila closures from 7:00 p.m., April 2
According to the city advisory, the following roads will be closed due to the Jesus Nazareno procession on Friday, April 3:
– Northbound and southbound lanes of Quezon Blvd. from A. Mendoza St./Fugoso St. to Quezon Bridge-Mehan Garden, including the C. M. Recto Ave. service road
– Westbound lane of España Blvd. from P. Campa St. to Lerma St.
– Stretch of S. H. Loyola St. from C. M. Recto Ave. to Bilibid Viejo St.
– Stretch of San Sebastian St. from C. M. Recto Ave. to Bilibid Viejo St./San Rafael St.
– Westbound lane of Legarda St., straight to P. Casal St. from C. M. Recto Ave. to C. Palanca St.
– Stretch of San Rafael St./Bilibid Viejo St./Gonzalo Puyat St. from Quezon Blvd. (northbound)
– Stretch of Arlegui St. from Legarda St. to Quezon Blvd. (northbound)
– Stretch of C. Palanca St. from P. Casal St. to Plaza Lacson
– Stretch of Paterno St. from Evangelista St. to Quezon Blvd. (southbound)
– Stretch of Gonzalo Puyat St. from Evangelista St. to Quezon Blvd. (southbound)
– Stretch of Evangelista St. from Paterno St. to Villalobos St.
– Stretch of Carriedo St. from Plaza Lacson to Evangelista St.
These routes cut through Manila’s old downtown and university belt, where processions traditionally draw dense foot traffic late into the night.
“Pinapayuhan ang mga motorista na planuhin ang kanilang biyahe at dumaan sa mga alternatibong ruta upang maiwasan ang abala,” the statement said.
(Motorists are advised to plan their trips and pass through alternative routes to avoid inconveniences.)
Manila rerouting scheme
Traffic authorities outlined the following rerouting scheme while closures are in effect:
– Vehicles intending to use Quezon Blvd. coming from A. Mendoza St. shall turn right to Fugoso St., then turn left to Tomas Mapua St. to point of destination.
– Vehicles coming from Quezon City using the westbound lane of España Blvd. shall turn right to P. Campa St., straight to Fugoso St. or turn left to Nicanor Reyes St. (Morayta), then turn right or left to C. M. Recto Ave. to point of destination.
– Vehicles coming from P. Burgos Ave. intending to use Quezon Bridge shall take Jones Bridge or MacArthur Bridge to point of destination.
– Vehicles coming from Ayala Bridge intending to use C. Palanca St. shall go straight to P. Casal St./Legarda St. to point of destination.
– Vehicles coming from Sta. Mesa intending to use the westbound lane of Legarda St. shall turn right to C. M. Recto Ave. to point of destination.
The Manila LGU said enforcement teams from the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau and barangay tanods will be deployed along the procession route to guide motorists and pedestrians.
Antipolo closures from 5:00 p.m., April 2
The Antipolo local government said road closures will cover the stretch from Cainta Junction to Tikling Ronda and onward to the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage for the Alay Lakad 2026, a large-scale walking pilgrimage traditionally held on Maundy Thursday into Good Friday.
To maintain public order and safety along the route, Antipolo also listed items that will not be allowed for Alay Lakad 2026:
– Alcoholic beverages
– Sharp and deadly weapons
– Playing cards
– Loud speakers
Authorities said violators may be subject to confiscation of prohibited items and penalties under existing city ordinances.
Closures take effect at 5:00 p.m. in Antipolo and 7:00 p.m. in Manila on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Motorists heading to or passing through these areas are advised to leave earlier than usual, follow on-ground traffic marshals, and monitor real-time updates from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and LGU social media channels, which regularly issue Holy Week traffic advisories across major urban routes.
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