MANILA - Several cities in Metro Manila are making special preparations in lieu of the transfer of former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino's remains from La Salle Green Hills to the Manila Cathedral on Monday, August 3.

In a grand procession that starts at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aquino's remains will be transferred to the Manila Cathedral following a route begining from EDSA. The procession would then take a right to Ayala Avenue, then turn left at Gil Puyat Ave. (formerly Buendia Ave), then right at South Luzon Expressway. It would then take a left at Quirino Avenue then right at Roxas Boulevard and then right to Intramuros.

The city of Makati intends to greet the procession with a shower of yellow confetti. Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said he is encouraging Makati residents, students, and office employees to shower Aquino's coffin with confetti as it is brought through Ayala and Gil Puyat Avenues.

"Makati holds a special place in the heart of Cory Aquino. She marched through the streets of Makati during protest actions after the 1983 assassination of [Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., her husband]. She marched through the streets of Makati against the abuse of power of the Arroyo administration. In all those events, she was always greeted by confetti," Binay said in a press statement.

Makati City's police and Department of Public Safety honor guards will also meet the procession when it reaches the Ninoy Aquino monument at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, meanwhile, said that 700 Manila Police District (MPD) officers will be deployed around the city to monitor traffic and escort the Aquino procession to the Manila Cathedral where necrological services for the late former president are scheduled.

Lim also said in a statement that he has "ordered the lowering of flags to half-mast in all city hall buildings" in Aquino's honor.

Strict protocol

Aquino's family and representatives have also issued strict guidelines on the conduct of media and Aquino supporters during the procession, which will continue even if it rains.

Deedee Sytangco, a spokesperson for the Aquino family, advised the public to pay their respects to Mrs. Aquino as her hearse passes through the scheduled routes instead of crowding into the Manila Cathedral and the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City, where the former president will be buried at her family mausoleum on Wednesday (August 5).

Sytangco said mourners can wear yellow clothes, Aquino's signature color, and join in raining her coffin with yellow confetti throughout the procession.

There will be a requiem mass at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, followed by a farewell message from Aquino's family, to be given by her son, Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Sytangco added, however, that the Aquino family has requested the public and the media to refrain from taking pictures of Aquino's face or body as she lies in state. Public viewing of the former president's remains are also limited to certain hours.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already declared Wednesday as a special non-working holiday and declared 10 days of mourning - starting August 1 - for Aquino's passing. With reports from ABS-CBN News.