Brace for heavy traffic during NYD opening

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Transportation Office is expecting heavy traffic during the opening procession of the National Youth Day which will be held in the city on April 24.

CCTO operations chief Francisco Ouano said his office has been preparing for this situation wherein thousands of youth from all over the country are expected to attend.

The route of the procession is from Cebu City Sports Center, will pass through P. del Rosario St., right turn to Osmeña Boulevard., right turn to F. Gonzales St., left turn to Magallanes St., and to Magellan’s Cross.

Ouano said the horrendous traffic will occur during peak hours in the afternoon considering that the walk procession will happen from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

With this, Ouano asked the drivers to avoid the identified route of the procession if possible so that they will not be stuck in the middle of the traffic.

Since yesterday, CCTO posted on its official Facebook account that there will be temporary road closures due to said event.

“Open-close ang atoang paagi ani but sa kadaghan sa mga tawo nga mosalmot ana, maka-cause gyud siya og heavy traffic during rush hours, expected gyud na nato,” Ouano said. (We will apply open-close system but with the number of participants, we expect heavy traffic during rush hours.)

Among of the affected areas will be along Osmeña Boulevard and other adjacent streets such as M. Velez St. and others.

On Wednesday, there are at least 90 traffic enforcers deployed within the said areas to man the traffic flow.

Among of the public utility jeepneys (PUJs) that will be rerouted are those coming from N. Bacalso Avenue. These PUJs are directed to take Leon Kilat St., turn left to Magallanes St., left turn to Borromeo St., to their usual route, and to their point of origin.

Jeepneys coming from J. Alcantara St. shall take Leon Kilat St., turn left to Colon St., right turn to P. Lopez St., left turn to Magallanes St., right turn to Plaridel St., left turn to M.C. Briones St.,  and then to their point of destination.

For those PUJs that are from barangays Bulacao, Pardo, and Labangon travelling along Colon St. shall turn right to Leon Kilat St., right turn to Magallanes St., left turn to Borromeo St., and back to their usual route.

PUJs from barangays Lahug and Apas passing along N. Escario St., shall follow N. Escario St., left turn to Osmeña Blvd., left turn to R.R. Landon St., right turn to Junquera St., right turn to Sanciangko St., right turn to Pelaez St., left turn to R.R. Landon St., and right turn to Osmeña Boulevard.

Those jeepneys that are coming from barangays Talamban and Pit-os with route numbers 13B, 62B and 62C while traversing along V. Gullas St. will right turn to D. Jakosalem St., back to their usual route, and back to their point of origin.

Southbound delivery trucks, vans and trailers are asked to access the tunnel in Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR).

The motorists and drivers are advised to abide the traffic scheme so that they will not be apprehended.

“Atong giawhag sila nga paglikay gyud ana karong petsa 24 sa mga ubang dalan kay National Youth Day man. Grabe ni makamugna og traffic kay peak hours man. Might as well, maglikay nalang sila,” Ouano said. (We are asking all motorists to avoid the identified areas on the 24th because it will surely cause a very heavy traffic flow.) (FREEMAN)