"Make it sure that the traffic congestion won't ruin your visit to your departed loved ones."

[VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR, PHILIPPINES] ▬ Like some other cities in the Philippines, mass homecoming happens in Vigan during All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day contributing to the traffic jam and overcrowding in public areas especially in the Vigan public cemetery. On this post, I visited some major streets in Vigan that usually become congested during this season because of their proximity to the major cemeteries in Vigan. Through the photos I posted here, I would like to show you how the city streets look like during Halloween, All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day.

[VIGAN] ▬ SOUTH ALCANTARA STREET

▬ Traffic Congestion in Major Streets Near the Cemeteries ▬

WELL, NOT ALL STREETS IN VIGAN BECOME congested, so on this post, I am referring to the roads in Vigan near the cemeteries. Anyway, there are 4 major cemeteries in Vigan. Three of them are located inside the poblacion district—(1) Jardin de Caridad and the (2) are both located near the boundary of Brgy Tamag, Brgy VII and Brgy VIII while the other one is the (3) Vigan Memorial Park located at the back of the Simbaan-a-Bassit near the boundary of Brgy VIII and Brgy III. The (4) other cemetery is located in Brgy Ayusan Sur near the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary just outside the city proper.

I am posting these photos to at least give you an idea how the city streets look like during November 1 and 2 including Halloween to help you in your travel plans whenever you're planning to visit Vigan during these days.

[VIGAN] ▬ LIBERATION BOULEVARD WITH SIMBAAN-A-BASSIT AS THE BACKDROP

[VIGAN] ▬ JOSE SINGSON STREET CORNER SOUTH ALCANTARA STREET

[VIGAN] ▬ SOUTH ALCANTARA STREET

[VIGAN] ▬ GREGORIO DEL PILAR STREET EXTENSION

▬ Street Guide for Travelers During All Souls/Saints' Day and Halloween ▬

THERE ARE FIVE (5) STREETS IN VIGAN THAT will lead you to the three cemeteries located inside the city proper. They are Liberation Boulevard, Rizal Street, Jose Singson Street, Gregorio del Pilar Street Extension and the Alcantara Street.

If you are a tourist in Vigan who is not familiar of the traffic situation during undas, I will rank the streets based on the gravity of traffic congestion. Rank one (1) will be the worst.

[1] ▬ Rizal Street ► This street is one of the major arteries in Vigan that links the city to the national highway in Bantay. What makes this street worst during holidays is its width. It is a two-lane road (traffic flow: two-way) with almost no shoulders at all. Some parts of the lane become a parking space for business establishments adding agony to commuters and road users alike. This street leads you to the Vigan public cemetery and the Jardin de Caridad.

[2] ▬ Alcantara Street ► Alcantara Street might have short length but just because it is near the public market, it is a busy one. During undas, this street serves as an alternative to those who want to go to the cemetery. Although it is relatively wider, the customers of the busy public market and the big supermarkets around contribute to the traffic congestion. This street is connected to Rizal Street via a narrower outlet.

[3] ▬ Gregorio del Pilar Street Extension ► This street, around 400 meters in length connects the Vigan Public Market and Liberation Boulevard. Although this road is equipped with sidewalks, both sides of this road become a parking area of cars and motorcycles because it is just located beside the Vigan Memorial Park.

[4] ▬ Liberation Boulevard ► This street connects the east and west barangays of Vigan. A portion of the road in front of the Simbaan-a-Bassit is usually closed so you have to make a detour to Jose Singson Street (if you're coming from the east) and Gregorio del Pilar Street Extension (if you're coming from the west) so it's a hassle.

[5] ▬ Jose Singson Street ► This road is parallel to Gregorio del Pilar Street Extension but it is way less congested because it is a one-way road and usually serves as an exit route from the Vigan Memorial Park. Usually, this road is not congested with traffic. The rerouting done by LGU Vigan spares this street from heavy traffic.

[VIGAN] ▬ THIS IS THE BENIGN MIRA HILLS BYPASS ROAD. ITS END IS CONNECTED TO RIZAL STREET (PERPENDICULAR). CAN YOU SEE THE THICK CROWD THERE?

▬ Travel Tips ▬

I RECOMMEND YOU SHOULD AVOID THE STREETS I've mentioned. You have to park your vehicle somewhere else but not on the streets I've mentioned. From where you've parked, I encourage you to walk to reach your destination or the cemetery if you don't want to get stuck in the crowd and traffic.

I also recommend to use motorcycle when using these roads during undas to make squeezing in between cars easier. To avoid a heavier traffic, go to the cemetery in the morning. The afternoon has the worst traffic (starting at 4 PM).

This is how the streets of Vigan look like on these days. Make it sure that the traffic congestion won't ruin your visit to your departed loved ones. Have a peaceful and happy day with your family! ▬ end

[VIGAN] ▬ GUIDE MAP

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This post is filed under the category "Roads and Routes." To see more posts from this category, scroll down and look for the "More Posts from this Category Roads and Routes" section below.

[2] Photos here were taken on 01 November 2015.

[3] The situation as described on this post is based on the observation of this blogger on the time he visited these streets.

[4] All maps I used on this post are the works of Google, Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2 | 3