CCTO approves closures of roads for IEC

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Transportation Office has granted the request of the Archdiocese of Cebu to close some of the major roads in the city for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress.

The traffic office has advised the public to be aware of the traffic advisories and plot ahead their travel to mitigate the impact of the road closures starting on January 24 to 31.

“Public is advised to note the road closures and plot their respective routes and schedules on those days to mitigate traffic impact on them. CCTO will put its best foot forward hoping that the Cebuano people will cooperate and bear the inconveniences attendant to road closures and rerouting,” said lawyer Rey Gealon, acting executive director of CCTO.

Gealon said the public should take the alternative routes during the duration of the event.

He said the public can have access to traffic advisories through the CCTO’s official Facebook page.   Tarpaulins that contain such advisories will be installed in public areas. The advisories are also on selected LED billboards in the city.

Gealon said motorists are not allowed to pass areas surrounding Plaza Independencia on January 24 during the opening mass at 4 p.m.

Among the roads to be closed are M.J. Cuenco Avenue; Osmeña Boulevard; M.C. Briones Street; Legaspi Extension; and Serging Osmena Boulevard.

Trucks, vans and trailers will not be allowed to pass the subway and south coastal road starting at 2 p.m. until the end of the mass.

From January 25 (Monday) to 29 (Friday), Pope John Paul II Avenue (former Juan Luna Avenue) from TESDA to Cardinal Rosales Avenue will be closed – except for vehicles passes – from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the morning. Traffic will resume at 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Another Eucharistic celebration will be held at the Capitol grounds on January 29. Closure of roads leading to the Cebu Provincial Capitol will be implemented.

During the Holy Mass, roads to be closed include a portion of N. Escario Street and Osmeña Boulevard. A solemn procession will follow after the mass from Capitol Building grounds to Plaza Independencia.

Since Osmeña Boulevard will be closed for the foot procession, public vehicles will be rerouted while private motorists are advised to avoid these roads in going to their destination.

The next day, Saturday, will be a Holy Mass for the first communicants at the Cebu City Sports Center, where a glimpse of the Sinulog festival will also be presented.

Streets near the CCSC will be closed. These are P.del Rosario Street; Osmeña Boulevard; and R.R. Landon Street.

The procession committee yesterday conducted a dry-run of the event in which Osmeña Boulevard was closed to vehicles for one hour starting at 4 a.m.

Committee chairman Msgr. Marnel Mejia, however, said the actual event will last at least four to five hours.

 “Molanat gayud siya upat ka oras kapin tungod kay aduna pa may santos nga misa nga ipahigayon atubangan sa Cebu Provincial Capitol nga sugdan sa alas kwatro sa hapon, ug human niini sa alas singko y medya sa hapon isunod usab ang procession gikan sa Capitol padulong sa Plaza Indepencia,” Mejia said.    

Mejia said motorcycles will not be allowed during the procession to prevent accident. — /FPL (FREEMAN)