Palma appeals for patience

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has appealed for patience from the public who might be affected by the traffic rerouting during the 51st International Eucharistic Congress.

 Palma also asked everybody to understand and cooperate during the congress, pointing out that it seldom happen in Cebu. The last time IEC was held in the Philippines was in 1937 in Manila.

“This is the time that our patient will be tested,” he said.

According to the Cebu City Transportation Office, major tho-roughfares in the city will be affected once traffic schemes for the congress are implemented.

 CCTO operations chief Joy Tumulak said that during the Visita Iglesia at Capitol Parish on January 28, vehicles passing along N. Escario St. will turn right to Gorordo Ave., to Asilo dela Milagrosa Church, proceed to F. Sotto St., right turn Queens Road, then to Redemptorist Church, traverse along R. Aboitiz St., right turn Juana Osmeña St., right turn N. Escario St., to Capitol Pa-rish Church.

 For the Visita Iglesia at Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral the vehicles will use P. Burgos St., to Basilica del Sto. Niño, then proceed to D. Jakosalem St., left turn Legaspi St., to Pelaez St., then to Sto. Rosario Parish, follow P. del Rosario St., left turn D. Jakosalem St., then to Sacred Heart Church, traverse back along D. Jakosalem St., straight to Downtown Area, left turn P. Gomez St., right turn P. Burgos St., then to Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

 Tumulak said the alternative access roads, from north to south and vice versa, can access SRP Tunnel and the South Coastal Road, M.J. Cuenco, Imus New Road and N. Bacalso Avenue.

 On January 29, Friday, during the scheduled Holy Eucharist at the Capitol building, some roads will be closed leading to Capitol area, including N. Escario St. (from F. Ramos Extension to Don Gil Garcia St.) and Osmeña Blvd. (from N. Escario St. to Don Jose Avila St.).

 From South to North, take V. Rama, B. Rod-riguez or N. Bacalso Avenue. The SRP Tunnel and the South Coastal Road can also be accessed but for light vehicles only. While, from North to South, take Gorordo, Gen. Maxilom Ave., B. Rodriguez, M.J. Cuenco, Imus New Road to N. Bacalso, SRP Tunnel and the South Coastal Road.

 During the solemn procession from Capitol to Plaza Independencia on January 29, Osmeña Blvd. shall be closed to vehicle traffic for the solemn procession. PUJs will be rerouted and private vehicles are advised to take alternate access in going to destination.

 Motorists can take these access roads to SRP tunnel and the South Coastal Road for those from north to south and vice versa.

 Furthermore, the city will also be closing the roads within the vicinity of the Sports Center to vehicle traffic for the first communion on January 30.

The roads that will be closed are P. del Rosario St. – from Pelaez St. up to Leon Kilat St.; Osmeña Blvd. – from Sanciangko St. up to Arlington Pond St.; and R.R. Landon St. – from Pelaez St. up to the Sports Center.

Motorists bound for south and north need to access the SRP tunnel and the South Coastal Road.

There will be no road closures during the Statio Orbis, culminating the activities of the 51st IEC, on January 31, 2016. However, entry to SRP and the passage along South Coastal Road will be controlled for this event.

 Tumulak said that “NO ENTRY” for Trucks, Vans and Trailers at SRP shall be implemented to minimize the volume of vehicles passing along the area.

 He added that these vehicles will not be allowed to enter starting 12 noon until the IEC event is over. (FREEMAN)