Roads closed Jan. 29 for IEC Mass at Capitol

CEBU, Philippines - Some roads near the Provincial Capitol will be closed to vehicular traffic on January 29 to give way for a Eucharistic celebration to be held at the Capitol grounds at 4 p.m. on that day.

The Mass is among the religious celebrations and activities slated for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress, which will be hosted by Cebu from January 24 to 31.

It is expected to draw around 30,000 faithful.

During a consultative meeting at the Capitol yesterday, Joy Tumulak, operations division chief of the Cebu City Transportation Office, identified Osmeña Boulevard going to Fuente Osmeña, Escario Street, and Don Gil Garcia Street which will be closed to traffic starting 1 a.m. until midnight.

He advised the public to utilize alternative routes on that day. For example, he said, motorists plying from the northern part of the city may access M. J. Cuenco then General Maxilom Avenue; from Transcentral, use Gorordo to General Maxilom; from south, V. Rama and B. Rodriguez streets can be utilized.

The Cebu provincial government is also preparing for the big event.

The Provincial Health Office (PHO) will ask the Department of Health to place nearby hospitals like Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital, Perpetual Succour, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Chong Hua, and Visayas Community Medical Center on Code White as part of the emergency preparedness and response.

The province will also provide medical tents with the support of the provincial and district hospitals and non-government organizations.

The PHO will also mount a mobile hospital in front of the Capitol building to address any emergencies. — (FREEMAN)