If rain persists: Closing Mass may be moved

CEBU, Philippines - If rain will continue to pour until this weekend, the Statio Orbis or Closing Mass of the International Eucharist Congress on Sunday afternoon may be transferred to the Cebu City Sports Center or the Mandani Bay in Mandaue City.

It is scheduled to take place at the San Pedro Calungsod Templete at the South Road Properties, a wide open space.

“No definitive plan but gibati ta og kakuyaw ug kabalaka tungod sa kahimtang sa panahon karon,” said Msgr. Joseph Tan, media liaison officer of the IEC.

“Pag-transfer sa venue is a logistical challenge because everything is in place from stage, Internet, tents for the media,” he added.  

Aside from transferring the Mass, Tan said it was also suggested during a meeting Tuesday night to remain at the SRP, whatever the weather may be, just like how it went in Palo, Leyte when Pope Francis visited last year.

 “There was a suggestion nga pareha sa Palo nga the show must go on, rain or shine. Mosaksi sa atong gituohan pinaagi sa pag-agwanta sa lapok ug sa uwan,” he said.

 He asked the faithful to pray for good weather.

At least 1 million are expected to attend the closing Mass.

If the Mass will through at the SRP, PAGASA Visayas Director Oscar Tabada encouraged attendees to bring bottled water because no vendor will be allowed to sell there.

He expressed concern over the possible effects of the rapid change in weather on the participants.

“Ang kuyaw ani, daghan kaayo’g tawo, ang temperature mosaka, mokalit lang og kainit, mobugnaw nasad, dayon modag-om ug basin dili na mouga ang SRP, magkalapok-lapok,” he said.

Preparations

Even with possible changes in venue, the Cebu City Transportation Office advised attendees to be ready should the closing Mass push through at the SRP.

CCTO operations chief Jonathan Tumulak advised attendees, especially those with vehicles, to be at the venue early so to give room for traffic personnel to make adjustments with the traffic plan and the closure of the SRP.

The Mass is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.

“Atong gi-awhag ang mga tao nga gustong motambong sa Misa nga pagahimoon sa SRP, among gi-awhag nga mosayo sa pag-adto,” he told reporters.

“Kon pananglitan, during sa pag-check, napuno ang mga designated parking areas para sa north and south, including sa parking areas sa VIPs, temporaryong siradu-an ang SRP. Ang pagsirado, dili namo matag-an kun unsang orasa,” he said.

The designated parking areas for vehicles from the north are the Senior Citizen’s Park, Legaspi Extension Street, Arellano Street, V. Sotto Street, and Palma Street. While the designated areas for vehicles from the south are vacant areas at the SRP like the area near the Kasadya sa SRP, area leading to Department of Public Works and Highways-7 office, area near the city’s Department of Public Services, among others.

“So, among awhagon lang especially katong mga dunay biyahe, og mahimo, before 10 a.m. lakaw na,” he said.

Trucks, vans, and trailers will not be allowed to enter the SRP starting at 12 noon until the end of the event.

Tumulak warned that CCTO may close Natalio Bacalso Avenue around 6 p.m. to vehicular traffic if the need arises. This means vehicles from the south would not be able to enter the Mambaling Access Road. Also, no vehicle can enter from the corner of F. Llamas Street up to V. Rama Street.

“Kon mogawas na ang 1 million ka tao sa SRP, daghan gyod kaayo na. For the safety sa mga tao nga mosalmot, atong sirad-an ang dalan,” he said.

“Wala nay sakyanan nga makasulod sa Mambaling. Dinha nalang sila kutob sa F. Llamas. Kon gikan pod ka og downtown or sa North going to south, tanang sakyanan, dinha ra kutob sa eskina V. Rama, Natalio Bacalso. Duna sab portion ana nga atong pasudlon sa Katipunan,” he added.

Vehicles from the south can use Tres de Abril Street to Katipunan Street then to Salvador Street and Banawa to R. Duterte Street. Those from the north can pass V. Rama Street to R. Duterte then to the Labangon area.

Tumulak asked the public for understanding.   — With Angelica R. Libodlibod (FREEMAN)