Mayor Rama orders zero obstruction along Grand Parade route

NO private bleachers and stands and no vendors will be allowed along the sidewalk of the Sinulog grand parade route on Jan. 18.

These were among the measures that the Cebu City government will enforce after officials and Sinulog organizers inspected the route on foot last Thursday.

“We will dismantle private bleachers. We will confiscate whatever things are obstructing the sidewalks. We want sidewalks on either side of the road to be clear to ensure a smooth parade,” said Raquel Arce, head of City Hall’s Prevention, Restoration of Order, and Beautification Enhancement (Probe) team.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama who led the walk-through inspection gave the order to clear the parade route of obstructions.

Citom started removing  concrete barriers and steel railings used on  roads as traffic dividers.

“These will be placed back on Monday, a day after the grand parade,” said Citom’s Joy Tumulak.

Notices of  violation will be sent to owners of structures encroaching on the sidewalks along the route.

The grand parade route will start at N. Bacalso Ave. going to Imus Road, General Maxilom Ave., Fuente Osmeña rotunda and ends at the Cebu City Sports Center.

On seeing trash under a bridge in barangay Day-as, Rama immediately ordered the Department of Public Services (DPS) to clear the route of garbage.

The Fuente Osmeña rotunda and the Sto. Rosario Parish Church will be cleared of vendors and stalls.

“They’ll be given a 72-hour notice. By Monday, they shouldn’t be there ” Arce said.

Meanwhile, the mayor also said he wants to open the road fronting the Malacañang sa Sugbo to help decongest traffic during and until after the Sinulog.

“We will also be opening the road in Fort San Pedro to add up to road mobility in the area,” Rama told reporters yesterday.

He said he will inform  the Office of the President about the plan.

Rama recalled that he had the road closed during the time of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.