Change in Traslacion route surprises Mandaue officials

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes yesterday admitted that he was surprised that the Sinulog Foundation Inc. has changed the route of Traslacion to A.S. Fortuna Street but said he is amenable to it if it’s the final decision.

“Nakalitan pud ko nga na-change diay ang ruta. Pero mo-adjust lang ta,” said Cortes in an interview with the media.

He said the people who are used to seeing the procession from their own street will also be surprised when they learn that the Santo Niño’s carriage will no longer pass there this year. The old route would pass Subangdaku area on its way to the National Shrine of Saint Joseph where the Holy Child will stay overnight before the fluvial parade the next day.

Cortes said the organizing committee may have a reason for the change of the route to A.S. Fortuna. He hopes that the roadwork there will be completed before the procession.

The annual Traslacion is a procession of the image of the Sr. Sto. Niño to Mandaue’s National Shrine of St. Joseph from the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño two days before the Holy Child’s feast. It is also the meeting of the Holy Child and the Lady of Guadalupe in Mandaue.

For his part, Glen Antigua, chief of Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), said he was also as surprised with the changes, especially since they were preparing for the old route all along.

Antigua said he does not mind making another preparation but he is worried of the traffic buildup on A.S. Fortuna and the adjacent streets on the morning of the Traslacion. He said they cannot provide alternative routes to vehicles.

“Na-surprise kaayo kay just this week ra mi gipahibawo. Wa ni-coordinate namo nganong naapil na ang Gov. Cuenco (Street) sa ruta. Mas traffic na ni kay wa may diversion sa sakyanan, way flyover sa A.S. Fortuna, so ma-stuck up ang mga sakyanan,” he said.

The procession is expected to run from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. which is the busiest time of the day in Mandaue roads, according to Antigua. Hence, he urged the public to go to their offices or schools early before they get stranded by the procession as they will close some roads during these hours.  (FREEMAN)