Blessed Virgin Mary statue in Simala to be brought to IEC Pavillon, Basilica

Senior. Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas (2nd from left) discusses security plans for the convoy carrying the statue of the Blessed Virgin in Lindogan, Simala, Sibonga to Cebu City on Oct. 7. With him are (from left) Rev. Fr. Jonas Mejares, Spiritual Director; Mary Ann Gonzalez and Mel Tadeo of Kapandesal Cooperative and Rev. Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes of the Basilica Minore Del Sto Niño (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA).

HEAVY traffic is expected when the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lindogon, Simala, Sibonga, Cebu, will be brought to Cebu City on Oct. 7 and 8.

Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas of the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) said they expect a turnout of at least 5,000 devotees during the two-day event at the IEC Pavillion and the Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño, where the image will be brought.

“We are expecting a Sinulog-like crowd to gather at the IEC Pavillion most especially at 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday when the miraculous image will arrive in Cebu and Saturday afternoon when the image will be transferred to the Basilica. So we advise commuters to expect delays on your travel on that day,” said Lawas.

With the foreseen influx of devotees in these areas, Lawas assured the public that they are taking measures to avert traffic problems.

“The convoy will pass through areas with lesser volume of vehicles so it won’t bear much effect on traffic,” he said.
The convoy, which will consist of 20 four-wheeled vehicles and 30 police motorcycles, will take off at 8 a.m. on October 7 from Lindogon, Simala. From there, the convoy will pass through Talisay City, turn right at the South Road Properties (SRP), then to Plaza Independencia. It will then pass by Radisson Blu Hotel and will turn left to Pope John Paul II Avenue and enter the IEC Pavillion.

A Holy Eucharistic Celebration to be officiated by Archbishop Jose Palma will be held at 12 noon.

A musical concert titled “For Mama Mary: It’s All About Her” will be staged at 7:30 p.m.

The image will be brought to the Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño at 2:30 p.m. on October 8.

From the IEC Pavillion, the convoy will turn right, going to the New Imus Road, pass by the Mabolo Church, turn left on the old MJ Cuenco Avenue, going through Plaza Independencia and turn right on Osmeña Boulevard before reaching the Basilica.
Lawas said that roads surrounding the church and some roads near Osmeña Boulevard will be closed during the travel.

The image will be brought back to Lindogon on October 9, Sunday, at 12 noon.

In ensuring the safety of the devotees throughout the duration of the event, Lawas said they are adopting the same security plan used during the APEC meetings held in Cebu City last year.

They will deploy 500 policemen who will be stationed in all the routes and major intersections where the convoy would pass, starting in Lindogon.

“We are assigning different teams in the IEC Pavillion and the Basilica, who will tightly enforce traffic and crowd control measures,” said Lawas.

Although they have not received reports of security threats, Lawas said that they have not downgraded the alert status in the city.