An estimated 3,200 policemen will be deployed to secure the celebrations related to the Chinese New Year on Sunday, Manila Police District (MPD) chief Police Brigadier General Andre Dizon said Friday.
Dizon said they are expecting the same volume of people in Manila’s Chinatown or Binondo district, the expected center of the celebrations, as during the pre-pandemic period.
“We’ll use 3,200 police personnel on a 24-hour basis, the same as the previous celebrations. We are on a pre-pandemic level of preparation,” he said in a television interview.
Dizon urged spectators to wear their face masks in crowded areas and discouraged them from bringing many valuables.
In an advisory on Thursday, the Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) said the southbound side of Jones Bridge will be closed starting Saturday, January 21, at 7 p.m., while the northbound side will be closed at 10 p.m.
This is to give way to the Chinese New Year Countdown Pyromusical to be viewed on Jones Bridge.
A portion of Banawe Street, from Cuenco Street to Quezon Avenue, will also be closed starting today, January 21, at 9 p.m., to January 22, at 9 p.m.
The public is advised to take alternate routes and to expect slower traffic due to the number of people who will join the festivities.
From Quezon Avenue, motorists are advised to turn right to Biak na Bato Street, turn left to Dapitan Street, turn left to Cordillera Street, and then back to Quezon Avenue.
They can also turn right to Biak na Bato, turn left to Maria Clara Street, turn left to D. Tuazon Street, and then back to Quezon Avenue.
Meanwhile, airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) is welcoming the Lunar New year by offering P88 special seat sales to local and international travelers.
The promo started Friday and will end on Jan. 23. For as low as PHP 88, one-way base fare, exclusive of fees and surcharges, travelers can book their trips across the airline’s widest domestic and international network.
The travel period is from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023.
“This is another treat from Cebu Pacific. We are happy to announce another irresistible promo that will allow ‘everyJuan’ to visit their favorite domestic or international destinations without breaking the bank. Fortune favors the early bookers, so book your trips now,” said Carmina Romero, Cebu Pacific Director for Corporate Communications, in a statement.
“All this and more are made possible by CEB, whether you are traveling for business or leisure. You will have the chance to experience the best of the Philippines, from food to adventure, in Cebu, Davao, Tacloban, Iloilo, Dumaguete, and Zamboanga; or fly to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Dubai to experience the rich culture and cuisine,” she said.
Romero said passengers with existing travel funds may use these to pay for flights and add-ons during CEB’s seat sales. Apart from Travel Fund, other payment options may also be used, such as payment centers, credit or debit cards, and e-wallets.
To date, CEB flies to a total of 34 domestic and 19 international destinations. Book your trips now via