Traffic plan for IEC approved

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) has approved the traffic plan for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) next month, said Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo yesterday.

“We already finalized the traffic arrangements… (It was) agreed by CCTO. They already gave the go signal. It would be better if the public would be aware of the traffic plan,” Villarojo said following a closed-door collaborative meeting.

The meeting yesterday was one of the weekly meetings with religious leaders, IEC organizers, city government representatives, and other concerned entities to discuss concerns such as security, garbage woes, and traffic management, among others.

CCTO acting chief Rafael Yap said the plan would have to be fine-tuned to set particulars like drop off points for delegates and parking area for buses. He said the final version of the plan will be released to the public once it is ready.

The IEC will take place from January 24 to 31 immediately following the Sinulog festivities.

Villarojo said they have agreed that a portion of the two-lane Pope John Paul II Avenue (from its intersection at Archbishop Reyes Avenue to Cardinal Rosales Avenue) will be closed on work days from January 25 (Monday) to 30 (Saturday) for four hours in the morning (5 a.m. to 9 a.m.) and another in the afternoon (2 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

Pope John Paul II Avenue (former Juan Luna Avenue) is the road directly linked to the event’s main venue, the IEC 2016 Eucharistic Village in Barangay Mabolo, which houses the IEC Pavilion, which is expected to accommodate around 15,000 delegates.

Villarojo said they decided not to close the road for an entire day because doing so would cause buildup of vehicles at adjacent or arterial roads.

“Vehicles may clog up on other areas if we continue to close the road the whole day. Anyhow, the roads will not be used from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. since delegates are mostly inside the Pavilion,” he said.

On January 29, the portion of Osmeña Boulevard fronting the Cebu Provincial Capitol until its intersection at Don Jose Avila Street will be closed from 1 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is because seats for thousands of delegates will be placed on the roads before the Eucharistic celebration starts at 4 p.m.

The next day, motorists will be restricted from passing through a portion of Osmeña Boulevard beside the Cebu City Sports Center from corner P. del Rosario Street to R. Landon Street to accommodate a Holy Mass set for the first communicants. – (FREEMAN)