Traffic will be rerouted in the Makati Central Business District on Sunday, January 18.

Makati Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Hermenegildo San Miguel said both lanes of Ayala Avenue, from Makati Avenue up to Herrera Street, will be closed to traffic.

Both lanes of Paseo de Roxas Avenue, from Sedeno St. up to Dela Rosa, will also be closed to make way for the city government’s celebration of this year’s Caracol Festival.

The city government of Makati, through its Museum and Cultural Affairs Office (MCAO), is set to celebrate Caracol Festival 2009 on January 18.  The Caracol, which is considered as the city’s unique version of the Mardi Gras, will be staged at Paseo de Roxas cor. Ayala Avenue (infront of the statue of former Senator Benigno Aquino) at 4pm. 

Mayor Jejomar C. Binay will lead other city officials, family members, residents and guests in a grand parade marking the opening of one of the city’s major tourist attractions.

“The annual celebration of Caracol is part of the city government’s continuing commitment to preserve our cultural heritage and to promote the importance of preserving and conserving our environment and natural resources,” Binay said.

Participants will convene at the Gabriela Silang Car Park at the corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues at 3pm for a grand parade along Ayala Avenue that will end at the corners of Paseo and Ayala Avenue.  

The DPS is advising motorists to expect heavy traffic, to avoid the activity area and to take the following alternative routes:

For all passenger buses coming from EDSA, turn right to Ayala Avenue, right turn to Makati Avenue, left turn to Gil Puyat Avenue to their destination. Buses coming from the South Expressway and Pasay City may take Gil Puyat Avenue then turn right to Makati Avenue, left turn to Ayala Avenue toward EDSA.

All Jeepneys coming from J.P. Rizal Avenue that turn right to Ayala Avenue must instead take a U-turn at the intersection of Makati Avenue and Ayala Avenue back to their destination.

Jeepneys and light vehicles coming from Washington St. may turn right to Gil Puyat Ave., right turn to Rufino St., left turn to Legaspi St., left turn to Dela Rosa St., right turn to Salcedo St., and left turn to Ayala Avenue to destination.