MMDA releases updated route for Olympic heroes parade

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday released the updated route for the heroes homecoming parade for the 2024 Paris Olympians. 

“Tuloy na tuloy na bukas. Magsisimula po sa V. Sotto at matatapos sa Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (The parade will push through tomorrow. It will start at V. Sotto and end at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex),” said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Romando Artes in a press conference.

Here is the route of the parade:

• From V. Sotto (Aliw Theater), turn left to Roxas Blvd.
• Turn right to P. Burgos Avenue,
• Straight ahead to Finance Road
• Turn right to Taft Ave.,
• Turn right to Pres. Quirino Ave.,
• Turn left to Adriatico St.
• Turn left to Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Artes advised motorists to avoid the affected roads and take alternate routes during the time of the parade:

Northbound

• Skyway
• Buendia Ave.
• Taft Ave.
• F.B Harrison St.
• Mabini St.
• Pres. Quirino
• Lacson Ave.

Southbound

• Roxas Blvd.
• UN Ave.
• San Marcelino
• Quirino Ave. to SLEX

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo will lead the parade which will start at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City and end at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. 

Artes shared the float sequence as he noted that no other vehicles will be allowed to join the parade. 

He said that all 22 athletes will be standing in one float. 

“Lahat ng 22 na atleta natin nasa iisang float. Sila lang ang pwede sa float (All the 22 athletes will be in one float. Only the athletes are allowed in the float),” he said. 

“So 'yung float po para siyang MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival). Siguro kaya dito sa MMDA inaatas ang parada kasi sanay na po tayo doon. Para po siyang MMFF na ginagamit ng float ng mga artista,” he added. 

(The float will be like those in the MMFF. Maybe the reason they tasked MMDA to be in charge of the parade is that we are used to it.)

Artes noted that the float will be elevated and the crowd will only be allowed on the sidewalk. 

After the parade, a short program will be held inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. 

“Approximate time is about 45 minutes, maximum, kasi pagod sa byahe ang ating mga atleta (because the athletes are already tired),” the MMDA chairman said. 

“Sa Rizal open siya for all but very short program lang at papakilala lang ang mga atleta (The program at the Rizal Memorial will be open to the public but it will be a very short one and we will just introduce the athletes),” he added. 

Artes also said no security threat was monitored in connection with the parade. However, 300 MMDA personnel will be deployed to assist in the parade as well as in the alternate routes: 

He further said they do not expect the parade to cause heavy traffic.

“We don’t expect na ganon kabigat ang traffic na idudulot ng parada. Siguro 5 minutes lang ang dudulot nito sa bawat stop, since stop and go lang naman tayo (We don't expect the parade to cause heavy traffic. Maybe the parade will stay for 5 minutes in every stop since we will be implementing a stop and go),” said Artes. 

The Philippines bagged four medals in the Paris Olympics, with two gold medals in gymnastics from Yulo and two bronze medals from boxers Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio.—AOL, GMA Integrated News