All ready for the Holy Week

Tom Operations head Joy Tumulak, LTO-7 Director Arnel Tancinco with LTFRB Director Cuizon (from L-R) yesterday inspect buses at the South Bus Terminal in preparation for the Holy Week celebration. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Cebu City’s disaster and emergency response personnel will be on full alert starting today to make sure that they can respond to any eventualities during the Holy Week.

Baran gay officials were also directed to immediately implement an evacuation of residents from danger zones if the need arises, said Councilor Dave Tumulak.

Rainshowers now felt in Cebu City could result in flooding and landslides in some parts of the city.
Mayor Michael Rama called a command conference with police officials led by chief of police Senior Supt. Noli Romana, his section and station commanders and city hall department heads to finalize preparations.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of City Intelligence Branch (CIB), said churches in barangays Banawa, Talamban, Guadalupe and Pardo in Cebu City will be closely monitored.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) also started conducting surprise inspections in bus terminals yesterday.

A mini bus unit owned by the Canonigo bus company was declared dilapidated and was not allowed to ply its Cebu City-Pinamungajan route. There were more than 20 bus units that were found to have committed minor violations.

Cuizon said these will be allowed to continue serving the commuters during the Holy Week but they have to settle the penalties next week.

The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) also passed a resolution authored by PB Member Miguel Magpale asking the LTO and LTFRB to crack down on speeding and overloading public utility vehicles (PUVs).

Meanwhile, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III inspected the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) yesterday.

Ten police personnel and 20 uniformed security guards will be deployed in the terminal starting today until Sunday.

At least 20 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will also help authorities monitor the bus terminal.

At the North Bus Terminal, General Manager Zosimo Jumao-as Jr. said they have cleared the sides of the terminal from vendors to give way to passengers.

Signages have also been put up to guide the passengers.

In Minglanilla town, which is known for its Sugat Kabanhawan on Easter Sunday, security plans are already in place according to its chief of police, Senior Insp. Richard Gadingan. ./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac and Correspondents Michelle Joy L. Padayhag, Chito O. Aragon, Carine M. Asutilla, Peter L. Romanillos and Gabriel C. Bonjoc