MANILA - The medical mission of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) is causing massive traffic along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Portions of Commonwealth Avenue, from Sandiganbayan to Litex, were closed for the event.

Crisanto Saruca, director of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Traffic Discipline Office, said they are working with the Quezon City Police District and Department of Public Order and Safety to regulate the traffic.

Speaking to ANC, Saruca said they expect the flow of traffic to be moderate until this afternoon.

The INC's medical mission will last until midnight.

"For now, we expect that the traffic flow will be moderate until maybe 3 or 4 this afternoon. Rest assured that our people are there on the ground until the event terminates," he said.

Motorists are advised to take alternate routes.

"We are suggesting that motorists going to Commonwealth eastbound should take Visayas Avenue or Mindanao and then via Sauyo or Regalado to avoid the activities covering Commonwealth from Sandiganbayan to Litex," said Saruca.

A zipper lane was also opened at the westbound lane of Commonwealth to accommodate motorists bound for the Batasan road, he added.

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice has ordered the early dismissal of employees of the Sandiganbayan starting at 2 p.m. due to heavy traffic in the area.

The Presiding Justice of the anti-graft court has been directed to maintain a skeleton force at the Sandiganbayan.