Shorter route for fluvial procession

CEBU, Philippines —  The route for the fluvial procession of the Fiesta Señor in Cebu City this January will be shorter because of the ongoing construction of the third bridge connecting mainland Cebu to Mactan Island.

This was revealed by Lieutenant Junior Grade Michael John Encina, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard in Central Visayas, in an interview with reporters yesterday.

“Instead of five maneuvers, we will trim it to four. So we will no longer reach the area in Pasil,” Encina said.

Construction works are in full swing for the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, an ambitious bridge project that hopes to link Cebu City to the island of Mactan via the municipality of Cordova.

The PCG also announced the opening of registration for sea vessels and motor bancas that will join the fluvial procession in January.

Encina said that the early registration hopes to invite more boat and vessel owners to register ahead of time to avoid delay.

He said this is the first time the registration has been opened as early as first week of December.

“If vessels would register early, that would help them to plan the activity smoothly, especially in the deployment of their personnel and the number of floating assets that would secure the fluvial procession,” he said.

Last January, some 80 vessels registered for the fluvial procession, but most of them did so towards the deadline, said Encina.

Encina said that those who are interested to join the procession at sea will need to secure permit from the Maritime Industry Authority, aside from registering with the PCG.  JMD (FREEMAN)