The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will hold a simulation of Pope Francis visit this coming Monday, January 12, 2015 as part of the country’s preparation of Pope Francis visit to Manila. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino announced on Saturday that the dry run will be held at 6:00 PM on Monday after the recommendations of top level security coordinators.
According to the MMDA Chairman, the general dress rehearsal along the vicinity of Villamor-Andrews Avenue will be an actual simulation of the Pope’s arrival from the airport, going to Andrews Avenue, going to Roxas Boulevard, going to Quirino and going to the Papal residence.
The MMDA appealed for understanding from motorists as well as from travelers who have flights scheduled on Monday, because this is the only time that the security experts can evaluate the preparations being undertaken so far.
All passengers going to NAIA, to the domestic airport, are advised to go to the airport very early to avoid the 6:00 PM simulation and dry run which will surely affect the traffic situation in the area. The simulation of Pope Francis arrival will also affect those who are travelling during the rush hours on Monday night.
As part of MMDA’s preparation in the highly anticipated visit of Pope Francis, the speed of the Papal convoy will simulate the actual speed when Pope Francis arrives in Manila this coming January 15, 2015. The MMDA will also deploy the actual number of forces to be utilized during the actual Papa arrival.
The dray run aims to close some of the loopholes including the infrastructure components, the roads and street lights, while a similar dry run will be held also in Tacloban in anticipation of Pope Francis visit.
