CCTO warns of heavy traffic today, tomorrow

CEBU, Philippines -  Motorists and commuters should brace for heavy traffic over the weekend due to  a number of road activities in Cebu City.

“Nag-anticipate gyod ta og heavy traffic ug ato nang gipangandaman sa CCTO,” said Cebu City Transportation Office Operations Chief Jonathan Tumulak.

Today, at least six activities will be held along different streets of the city.

CCTO will be implementing a half-road closure from Sergio Osmeña Boulevard, Fort San Pedro, Malacañang sa Sugbo to South Road Properties (near SM seaside city) for the “DC Comics All Star Fun Run Cebu 2015” at 2:30 a.m. until 8:00 a.m.

The fun run route is from SM City to Kaohsiung Street, right turn to Sergio Osmeña Avenue, straight to Pegaffetta Street, left turn to SRP seaside, right turn to Pegaffetta straight to Sergio Osmeña Avenue, left turn to Kaohsiung Street, then back to SM City.

Also, a motorcade in support for the possible presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will take place at 10:00 a.m. from SRP leading to Natalio Bacalso Avenue, P. del Rosario Street, to New Road Imus to MJ Cuenco Avenue, Juan Luna Avenue, to JY Mall Lahug to Gorordo Avenue, to Escario Street, right turn to Osmeña Boulevard, right turn to B. Rodriguez Street, left turn to V. Rama Avenue, right turn to Katipunan Street, to F. Llamas Street, and will end at SRP near the Barangay Mambaling side.

At 3 p.m., a parade for the University of the Philippines Cebu Pride Week will start from the UP-Cebu grounds Gorordo Avenue, then right turn to Escario Street, and will end at the Cebu Provincial Capitol grounds.

There will also be two processions: one for the Virgin of Peñafrancia at 4 p.m., from Capitol to Capitol Parish and the second is the San Carlos Seminary College at 5:30 p.m. from the seminary to Ayala Access Road then to Cabantan St., and then proceeding though Archbishop Reyes Ave., then back to San Carlos Seminary College.

Apart from the activities, Tumulak said another activity that will cause heavy traffic is the 101st Anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo Grand Evangelical Mission at 7 p.m. in three areas in the city: General Maxilom Avenue, Barangay Pardo, and Barangay Duljo Fatima.

INC churches located in the three areas have asked the permits and clearance from CCTO.

But Tumulak said there is a possibility that other areas with INC churches will also join the activity that is why CCTO personnel are on standby for deployment.

He added that Jumalon Street in Barangay Basak Pardo, Cebu City will also be closed for a  street party from 8 p.m. until 12 midnight.

For Sunday, Tumulak said there would be an annual walk by Alay Lakad Cebu Foundation at 6:30 a.m. from Gen. Maxilom Avenue, 3rd Avenue, right turn to Sergio Osmeña Avenue, right turn to Legaspi Extension, left turn to MJ Cuenco Avenue, passing Plaza Independencia, right turn to Magallanes Street, and will end to Plaza Sugbo- Cebu City Hall.

Also, CCTO will be closing the roads from corner Katipunan Street, F. Pacaña Street, to F. Llamas St., corner Cabarrubias Street at 12:00 noon until 3:00 a.m. on Monday for the “Siomai Sa Tisa 2015 Street Dancing” and street party. —/ATO (FREEMAN)