After IEC: City gov’t gearing up for campaign rallies

CEBU, Philippines - After securing over a million people during the 51st International Eucharistic Congress, Cebu City’s Police Coordinating and Advisory Council is now gearing up for the campaign rallies in the coming weeks.

Anticipating national candidates to visit the vote-rich Cebu, PCAC chair Eugene Elizalde said policemen will be visible during the campaign period.

“Of course the police will be there not to be partisan but to maintain peace and order kung dunay rallies,” he said in yesterday’s PCAC meeting.

Elizalde said several national candidates have expressed that they will hold rallies in Cebu City. He did not disclose the names of the candidates, though.

“So importante g’yud nga we are only there to maintain the peace and order. Mao na atong gi-expect, big rallies, political assembly rallies will be coming until May,” he said.

Citing minor glitches, Elizalde also commended yesterday the Cebu Police Provincial Office and the Cebu City Police Office for a “job well done” during the IEC events.

“Generally well done except for the dispersal after the Mass kay it turned out nga mas grabe ang traffic sa N. Bacalso - Pardo area compared to the SRP,” he told reporters.

Elizalde said he was informed by the Cebu City Transportation Office that congestion was felt in smaller roads.

“According to CCTO chief Joy Tumulak ganina sa meeting it was really sudden dispersal of all vehicles passing in small roads like F. Llamas, N. Bacalso, Sabellano. Everybody was trying to look for exits, nagdungan,” he said, adding that this will be the focus when hosting another international event in the future.

Cebu, including Cebu City, Elizalde said, is one of the considered places for the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in March and August 2017.

“If that’s the case, I think we are ready. Nag-agi na man ta’g APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), nag-agi na ta’g Sinulog, we already went to the worse - the IEC,” he added.

Elizalde said they will also prepare for the Charter Day on February 24. — (FREEMAN)