Make way for P-Noy, envoys
Truck ban for APEC, downtown Cebu City closed off for President’s visit
NO ENTRY. Traffic in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue will enforce a truck ban in the APEC ceremonial routes to ensure delegates will get to their meetings on time. The ban will be in effect for the duration of the Third Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM3), from August 22 to September 6. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
The main streets of Cebu and Mandaue cities will be a lot more congested than usual today.
Commuters, motorists and truck drivers in Metro Cebu will have to make way for both President Benigno Aquino III and his Cabinet officials as well as for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) delegates.
From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily in the next two weeks, trucks, vans and trailers in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue will be barred from passing through the ceremonial routes reserved for APEC delegates.
In downtown Cebu City, Leon Kilat and Sanciangko streets will be closed to vehicular traffic from 8 a.m. to noon as
President Aquino will meet with Liberal Party (LP) supporters and allies at the Cebu City Coliseum.
In a press briefing yesterday, the regional Philippine Information Agency (PIA) said President Aquino will conduct a “windshield inspection” of the Mactan Circumferential road project and the Sergio Osmeña road concreting project.
Prepared
He and LP standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II will then join LP allies and supporters at a “gathering of friends” at the Cebu City Coliseum at 2 p.m.
The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) said it had prepared two traffic reroute schemes in anticipation of the President’s visit.
CCTO executive director Rey Gealon said the President’s visit won’t compromise their operations for today’s APEC meetings.
He said the President’s route doesn’t overlap with the ceremonial routes for APEC delegates.
“CCTO prepared for any eventuality. That’s why we joined the ‘simulation exercises’ spearheaded by the APEC National Organizing Committee so that we can address any scenario like floods, rallies and the President’s visit,” Gealon said.
Light to moderate
CCTO operations chief Jonathan Tumulak said motorcycle-riding traffic enforcers will be on standby to assist in congested areas.
He said the city’s traffic in last Saturday’s APEC opening was light to moderate.
Gealon said they have issued traffic citation tickets to 50 truck drivers since last Saturday’s opening of the APEC meetings for violating the truck ban imposed on the ceremonial routes.
“This is pursuant to Memorandum Order 20150167 issued by the mayor mandating the truck ban from August 22 to September 5 starting at 6 a.m until 10 p.m,” Gealon said.
The areas covered by the order are Pope John Paul II Ave. (formerly Juan Luna Ave.) to Salinas Drive, Salinas Drive to Veterans Drive, and the portion of Archbishop Reyes Ave. from corner Pope John Paul II Ave. and Gorordo Ave.
Vital roads
These are vital connecting roads for the hotel venues of the APEC meetings, namely, Radisson Blu, Cebu City Marriott Hotel, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Marco Polo Plaza.
In Mandaue City, Mayor Jonas Cortes also signed Executive Order No. 16 which imposes a truck ban starting today until Sept. 5.
Jerome Emilio Ursal, supervisor of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), said they distributed leaflets to guide truck drivers on the changes of their routes.
The ceremonial routes of the APEC delegates in the Mandaue City side are Plaridel Street, A. Soriano Avenue, E.O.Perez St. and Ouano Ave.
Ursal said trucks, trailers and vans can still pass through Lopez Jaena St. toward M.C. Briones St., C.D. Seno St., M. Logarta Ave., Marciano Quizon St., and G. Ouano St.
On time
He also clarified that vehicles with six wheels and above can pass through Plaridel St. and other ceremonial routes only if the delegates are a safe distance away from the area.
Ursal said they will guide the truck drivers on their route changes and will not directly issue Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) as much as possible.
He said private vehicles and passenger jeepneys won’t be rerouted away from the ceremonial routes.
Ursal said the truck ban will ensure that 3,200 officials of the 21 member economies arrive on time for the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM3) and related meetings today until September.
Next month, Cebu will host ministerial meetings on Structural Reforms and Finance.
Smooth flow
This year’s meetings will culminate with the Leaders’ Summit in Metro Manila in November.
Meanwhile, Gealon said downtown traffic will be rerouted starting at 8 a.m. today to pave the way for the President’s convoy going to the coliseum.
“Passenger jeepneys passing by Sanciangko St. will be rerouted to ensure smooth traffic flow of the President’s convoy towards the venue as well as to give time for PSG and PNP personnel to sweep the roads for security threats,” he said.
Gealon said the first traffic scheme consists of closing a portion of Sanciangko St. fronting the Cebu Coliseum to vehicles from 8 a.m. until noon and opening Leon Kilat Street as an alternate road to jeepney drivers and motorists.
Plan B consists of the closure of a portion of Sanciangko St. from corner Osmeña Boulevard to corner Borromeo St. and the portion of Leon Kilat from the driveway of E-Mall until Colon St.
Rerouting
“If the entourage of vehicles dictate that there is a need to effect rerouting of adjoining roads, we will do so,” Gealon said.
The President is scheduled to arrive at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base at 10:30 a.m. today.
Thousands of LP supporters are expected to troop to the Cebu Coliseum where a pre-program activity organized by LP will be held starting at 1 p.m.
PIA Cebu Manager Rachelle Nessia said governors from other Visayas provinces will also attend the gathering.
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