MMDA prepares for MMFF Parade of Stars; roads closed

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is preparing for the annual 'Parade of Stars' ahead of the 12-kilometer-long 50th Metro Manila Film Festival on Saturday, December 21.

Starting at 2 p.m. from the Kartilya ng Katipunan monument near Manila City Hall and ending at Liwasang Bonifacio in front of the Manila Central Post Office (MCPO), the parade will feature ten floats carrying stars of this year's MMFF entries.

MMDA has announced that several roads, including Natividad Lopez Street, P. Burgos Drive, Recto Avenue, Abad Santos Avenue, Tayuman Street, Lacson Avenue - España Boulevard, C.M. Recto Avenue, Legarda Street, P. Casal Street, Ayala Bridge, Taft Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, and P. Burgos Avenue, will be closed during the parade.

To facilitate the event, MMDA will implement temporary lane closures and a stop-and-go traffic scheme in several areas along the route from 12 noon to 8 p.m., with the southbound lane of McArthur Bridge also closed during parade hours (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.).

Roads around Kartilya ng Katipunan will be closed from December 20 for float preparations, and motorists are advised to take alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic.

Clearing operations are underway to remove double parking and vendors along the route to ensure a smooth procession, with at least 3,000 personnel deployed for crowd control and safety.