Makati traffic scheme set for Caracol festival

MANILA, Philippines—Some streets in Makati’s central business district will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday to give way to the annual Caracol Festival, the city’s version of Mardi Gras.

According to the Makati Department of Public Safety, a traffic rerouting plan will be implemented during preparations and the actual event that will be held on the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas.

DPS Director Hermenegildo San Miguel said Ayala Avenue from Makati Avenue up to Herrera Street (both lanes), and Paseo de Roxas Avenue from Dela Rosa Street up to Sedeno Street (both lanes) will be closed to traffic starting 6 p.m. on Feb. 26 until 11 p.m. of Feb. 27.

All LRT Taft-bound passenger buses (PUB) from EDSA must turn right at Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue towards their destination.

Meanwhile, PUB coming from SLEX, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Pasay City must take Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue and turn left at Edsa towards their destination.

Ayala-bound public utility jeepneys coming from J.P. Rizal Street must turn right at Makati Avenue and make a U-turn at Makati Avenue corner Ayala Avenue and head back to J.P. Rizal Street, while light vehicles coming from both sides of Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue must turn left or right at Makati Avenue and head straight to Arnaiz Avenue towards their destination.

If coming from Washington Street, PUJ and light vehicles must turn right at Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, make a right turn at Ayala Avenue, right turn at Salcedo, left turn at Benavidez toward Esperanza Street, right turn at Makati Avenue, right turn Arnaiz Avenue, right turn Paseo de Roxas, left turn Dela Rosa, right turn Salcedo, then left turn Ayala Avenue toward their destination.

The DPS also advised the public to expect heavy traffic during the said period and to take alternate routes and avoid the activity area.

The Caracol Festival on Sunday will start at 4 p.m. Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay will lead other city officials in welcoming residents and visitors to the event, which aims to educate the public, especially schoolchildren, about cultural heritage and the importance of conserving the environment and its natural resources.

Vice President Jejomar Binay and Department of Tourism Undersecretary Ma. Victoria Jasmin are among the special guests who are expected to attend the event.

This year’s celebration, dubbed “Battle of the Champions,” will feature street performances by past Caracol champions comprised of students from Makati public schools in the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels.

The participants will convene at the Gabriela Silang Car Park at the corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues at 3 p.m. for a grand parade along Ayala Avenue that will end at the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Ayala Avenue.

Caracol was conceptualized in 1986 and ushered in the Fiesta Islands Program of the Department of Tourism in 1989. It features students from the city’s public schools wearing nature-inspired costumes and performing dances, with the objective of instilling appreciation and respect for the bounty of Mother Earth and making them active participants in the protection and conservation of nature.

The highlight of the festivity will be a costume and dance competition wherein the participants, all dressed up in colorful nature -inspired costumes such as flowers, fruits, trees, and rare animals, will perform ethnic and tribal dances.

The contestants will compete for trophies and cash prizes.

source: inquirer