Gabii sa Kabilin: Downtown streets to be closed today

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) will temporary close at least five streets in the city for  the celebration of “Gabii sa Kabilin 2019” from 5 p.m. today until 1 .a.m. of May 25.

Gabii sa Kabilin is an annual celebration of Cebu’s heritage and rich culture where everyone is given the chance to take a glimpse of the historical sites in the city.

Among the areas affected are the streets of E. Aboitiz, Lopez Jaena, Mabini, P. Burgos, Colon, Osmeña Boulevard and others.

Public utility jeepneys (PUJs) plying along these routes and other vehicles will be rerouted.

In the advisory the CCTO has released, all vehicles and PUJs that will be traversing along Colon St. from Leon Kilat St. shall turn left to D. Jakosalem St. then to their point of destination.

Those PUJs bound for SM Cebu City shall turn to Imus Road then to their destination. CCTO said private vehicles may traverse at Osmeña Boulevard or at D. Jakosalem St.

Vehicles and PUJs from Sikatuna St. that are bound for Colon St. shall turn right to Zamora St., then to Sanciangko St. or turn right to D. Jakosalem St., and to their destination.

Vehicles that will be traversing along Isagani St. shall turn left to Mabini St. and to their point of destination.

PUJs bound for the North Reclamation Area will traverse along Junquera St. passing along P. Del Rosario St., then to Imus St, right turn to Sikatuna St., turn left to T. Padilla St., and to their destination.

CCTO has asked the motorists and drivers to follow the traffic scheme and other traffic rules.

CCTO Head Ismael Garaygay III said at least 20 traffic enforcers will be deployed in areas near the affected streets to monitor and man the traffic flow starting from 4 p.m. today until the event will be done.

He said they expect moderate to heavy traffic today due to the temporary closure of several streets.

“Naa man ta’y affected streets kay gipang-close man nato, moderate to heavy gyud ang traffic ani,” Garaygay said.

He asked the public to avoid the identified affected streets so that they will not be trapped in the traffic, as much as possible. — GAN (FREEMAN)