CEBU, Philippines - Preparation for this Sunday’s huge religious activity is already in full swing.
In a media briefing yesterday, authorities stressed that both the government and the Catholic Church are prepared for the solemn procession in celebration of the Christ the King feast day.
This year’s celebration is extra special because this serves as a dry run for the upcoming International Eucharistic Congress in 2016.
The same route, from Provincial Capitol to Plaza Independencia, will be used for the gathering of Catholics around the globe in January 2016.
At least 200 police personnel will be utilized to ensure safety along the procession route, according to Cebu City Police Office deputy director for administration Superintendent Alet Virtucio.
Directly involved in the security group are those in Police Stations 1, 2, 3; 5 and 9.
The rest, Virtucio added, are for augmentation and backup.
The police official said they continue to monitor the report that robbery groups are aiming to strike and sneak in during that busy day.
City Traffic Operations Management Office, for its part, will be making sure traffic runs smooth especially near the procession route.
CITOM operations chief Joy Tumulak said they will be focusing deployment along the route and nearby intersections.
“We will deploy 175 personnel plus myself and Atty. (Rafael) Yap will be there to personally make sure traffic is flowing and no untoward incident occurs,” the CITOM official said.
While the road closes at 12 noon, the actual mass at the Capitol is at 4 o’clock in the afternoon while assembly starts an hour prior.
“This is for us to prepare. We have to make sure the place is ready for the procession which will happen right after the mass,” Joy Tumulak said.
Immediately following the procession is the solemn benediction upon arrival at Plaza Independencia.
Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council president and city councilor Dave Tumulak said emergency response teams have already been designated in key areas and assigned to bring those needing medical attention to the nearest hospital.
Seven ambulance vehicles will be on standby with CCDRRMO personnel in coordination with the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, Red Cross, and University of San Carlos.
Barangay fire auxiliaries will be deployed instead of the Bureau of Fire Protection fire trucks to minimize congestion.
Closed circuit television units are installed along the route and drones will be deployed to capture images from the procession and nearby areas.
Councilor Tumulak likewise urged those attending to store in their phones the numbers to reach in case they would need emergency attention.
The numbers to reach are 09325327770 (SUN), 094771780000 (SMART), 09177222343 (Globe), via landline (032) 262-1424 or 166.
Fuente Osmeña Circle is designated the drop off point while parking spaces include the Senior Citizens Park and Compana Maritima near Cebu City Hall.
Apart from bringing candles, devotees are encouraged to bring umbrellas as the activity will proceed rain or shine. (FREEMAN)