Today and tomorrow: Expect closed roads, traffic

CEBU, Philippines – Motorists and commuters should brace for road closures and traffic re-routing today and tomorrow, said the Cebu City Transportation Office.

This as some major thoroughfares in Cebu City will be utilized for the parade of the contingents of the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan 2016 today and tomorrow’s Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan 2016.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros invited the public to witness this year’s competition. With only P75, Ballesteros said the public can enter the Cebu City Sports Center and be entertained.

With the activity, CCTO operations chief Jonathan “Joy” Tumulak asked the public to be more patient since this happens just once a year.

“Hangyo lang ko sa atong publiko nga mo-cooperate lang gyud ug naa man pud ta’y gi-deploy nga mga personnel para maka-assist nila,” he said, adding that motorist, drivers and other road users are advised to follow the traffic signs installed on the rerouting areas to minimize traffic congestion.

For today’s Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan 2016, the parade route is from the Capitol Building to Osmeña Boulevard down to the sports center. With this, the lane of Osmeña Boulevard closest to the sports center will be closed starting noon in preparation for the parade that will start at 1 p.m.

Contingents will enter the sports center through the gate beside the Cebu City Central School.

The other lane of the Osmeña Boulevard will be open to vehicular traffic. PUJs with route numbers 04B, 04D, 04E, 04H, 14D, 17B and 17D shall go straight to Gorordo Avenue, turn right to General Maxilom Avenue, turn left to F. Ramos Street, turn right to Junquera Street, turn right to Sanciangko Street and to their destination in the downtown area.

PUJ with route numbers 06B, 06C, 06D, 06E, 06F, 07B, 07C, 07D, 07E and 07H shall go straight or turn right to V. Rama Avenue, turn left to N. Bacalso Avenue, turn right to Osmeña Boulevard, then back to their usual route to downtown area.

Tumulak also said the activity will also affect other routes.

Guadalupe and Banawa PUJS will traverse to V. Rama Avenue, then turn right to Katipunan Street, turn left to A. Lopez Street, straight to Tres de Abril Street, turn right to Carlock Street, turn left to B. Aranas Street, turn right to Lakandula Street, turn left to Tupas Street, then to the Carbon area.

PUJs from Capitol and Oprra with route numbers 14B, 14D and 15 passing N. Escario Street turn left to M. Roa Street, left turn to Don Jose Avila Street, right turn to Juana Osmeña Street, right turn to General Maxilom Avenue, left turn to B. Rodriguez Street, left turn to V. Rama  Avenue, left turn to N. Bacalso Avenue, right turn to Panganiban Street, left turn to Colon Street, right turn to Leon Kilat Street, then to Carbon area.

PUJs from Barangay Lahug will traverse General Maxilom Avenue, turn left to F. Ramos Street, turn right to Junquera Street, turn left to Colon Street, turn left to D. Jakosalem Street, then to their point of origin.

PUJs and other motor vehicles from the south will traverse N. Bacalso Avenue. Those going to SM, White Gold and North Bus Terminal, shall turn left to V.  Rama  Avenue, turn right to B. Rodriguez Street, proceed to Fuente Osmeña, to General Maxilom Avenue, then to their destination.  Tumulak said the roads will be closed from 12 noon until the tail of the parade will pass.

Defense training

Around 200 to 300 selected barangay tanods will undergo training in self-defense and values formation to help the policemen and other force multipliers in Cebu City to maintain peace and order this Sinulog 2016.

Sensei Dhong Reynaldo of Komjyokai Aikujutsu International Martial Arts  Aca-demy said the selected barangay tanods are tanod team leaders in their barangays.

“Kasagaran sa napili kay ang mga team leaders, they should be knowledgeable enough that their first obligation is to fulfill their duties and responsibilities, they are the frontliners, kay sa wap-a ta motawag og pulis, gauna man na ang mga barangay tanod, that’s why if na-train sila, aware sila unsa’y buhaton kung naa’y alarma especially karong Sinulog,” Reynaldo said.

The training will be conducted free as part of their gratitude to the Holy Child.

“If you’ll say love to God, it’s the same as love towards fellowmen. If moingon ka og tinud-anay nga service it should be love without any measure. If imong gihuna-huna kuwarta ra, dili na ser-bisyo,” Reynaldo said.

Doctor Jefferson Callino, one of the members of the martial arts academy, said ta-nods are also one of the first responders when it comes to providing first aid.

“If naay makupayan or mapiang ba ron, sila sad ang moresponde ana,” Callino said.

Acting mayor Edgardo Labella thanked the barangay tanods and the trainers who willingly gave their time and effort to fulfill their duties and responsibilities.

“Tanods play a vital role in our city. We have almost 1,500 tanods in the entire city of Cebu. Gamit kaayo ni nila ang kining training because they should not only know how to defend themselves but also how to transform with values,” Labella said.

Be on guard

Meanwhile, the Theft and Robbery Section of the Cebu City Police Office advised the public to be vigilant with their valuables during Sinulog.

TRS chief Senior Inspector Rolito Supatan said they received reports about pickpockets from Davao who come here just to take advantage of the huge crowds.

“Atong nakuha sa atong contact nga aduna nay naabot nga mga pickpockets from Davao, mao na ron atong paninguhaon kung asa na sila dapit nag-stay” Supatan said.

Supatan added they are trying to coordinate with owners of lodging houses around the city so they can report suspicious groups of people.  Supatan also reminded people against flaunting money and jewelry during the festivities.

“Dapat aware ang public ani nga during sa Sinulog di sila magpataka ug dala sa ilang mga valuables” he said.  — with Friensy G. Larawan, Jan Michael T. Lumayag and Angelica Libod-libod/BRP (FREEMAN)