MMDA braces for Iglesia ni Cristo protest, lists alternate routes

The Metro Manila Development Authority released on Saturday alternate routes for motorists as it braces for traffic due to the religious protest of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) members.

Alternate route from Edsa Northbound Lane:

1. Right to Mckinley Rd. to C5 to destination

2. Right at Kalayaan Ave. to C5 to destination

3. Take Rockwell flyover, left turn to Estrella and utilize Estrella/Pantaleon Bridge which is now open to traffic

4. Right at JP Rizal to C5 to destination

5. Right at Shaw Blvd. to C5 to destination

6. Right at J. Vargas Ave. to C5 to destination

Along Ortigas Avenue:
1. Left turning traffic from Greenhills to Edsa must go straight along Ortigas Avenue to destination

2. Right turning traffic from Meralco Ave. must go straight to Greenhills to destination

Alternate route from Edsa Southbound Lane:

1. Right to West Ave. and take Mabuhay to destination

2. Right to Timog Ave. and take Mabuhay to destination

3. Right to Kamuning and take Mabuhay to destination

4. Right to Aurora Blvd. and take Mabuhay to destination

5. Right to P. Tuazon and take Mabuhay to destination

6. Right to Santolan and take Mabuhay to destination

7. Right to Annapolis and take Mabuhay to destination

8. Right to Connecticut and take Mabuhay to destination.

The INC was granted a permit to rally on Saturday which will take effect until Sunday but no definite time was given.

The religious protest started Thursday to voice out the alleged meddling of the Department of Justice on the internal matters of the church. They moved to Edsa on Friday which worsened the traffic jam on a payday, start of a long weekend and a mall sale nearby.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered an investigation on the illegal detention case filed by expelled INC minister Isaias Samson against his fellow leaders.

Some members of the group are invoking the separation of Church and State. Frances Mangosing/RAM