Gov’t work, classes suspended in Manila, Pasay on January 13 for Iglesia Ni Cristo rally
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang has suspended classes and government work in the cities of Manila and Pasay on Monday, January 13, due to the scheduled rally of the members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC).
This comes following the recommendation of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). The agency expects thousands of vehicles, including buses with INC participants, to troop to INC’s “National Rally for Peace.”
“However, those agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services shall continue their operations and render the necessary services,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a memorandum on Friday, January 10.
For private firms, however, the decision to suspend operations is still up to their respective managements.
Thousands of INC delegates from Metro Manila, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bataan, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon province will be joining the event in Quirino Grandstand on Monday.
Several other pocket rallies will also be hosted in other cities around the nation to show support for Vice President Sara Duterte, who is currently facing a number of impeachment complaints.
INC earlier expressed support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s position disclosed last November that impeaching the Vice President would be a waste of time, despite Duterte’s assassination threat against the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Authorities are expecting that delegates will be using areas near the grandstand as their designated parking spaces.
The MMDA will be closing the following roads on Monday:
- Katigbak Drive
- South Drive
- Roxas Boulevard (from UN Avenue to P. Burgos)
- TM Kalaw
- Bonifacio Drive (from P. Burgos to Anda Circle)
- P. Burgos (from Roxas Boulevard to Taft Avenue)
- Maria Orosa
Guests who are heading to the Manila Hotel, Luneta Hotel, H2O Hotel, Manila Ocean Park, and other establishments in the area may go through Katigbak and South Road. – Rappler.com