SUSPENDED Cebu City mayor Michael Rama yesterday ordered the removal of all obstructions along the carousel route before the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 17.
Rama, who is the chairman of the festival organizer Sinulog Foundation, Inc., said tents and bleachers will no longer be allowed along the route. Only bleachers for the judges will be put up.
“We are celebrating a Mega Sinulog this year and obstructions might cause a stampede during the celebration,” the suspended mayor said.
The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), in an advisory posted on its Facebook page, said they will remove all vehicles and obstructions along the carousel route from 10 p.m. on January 16 to 5 a.m. of January 17.
The entire carousel route will then be closed to traffic for the parade.
The grand parade will start on New Imus Road, proceed to M.J. Cuenco Ave., turn left to Gen. Maxilom Ave. toward Fuente Osmeña, turn left to Osmeña Blvd., then turn right to R.R. Landon St. toward the Cebu City Sports Center, where all contingents will perform.
From the Cebu City Sports Center, the contingents will exit through the P. del Rosario St. gate, turn right to N. Bacalso Ave., make a U-turn in front of Citilink Terminal and proceed to P. del Rosario St. and then back to New Imus Road.
Business establishments along the route will also be asked to provide lighting to deter crimes. Rama said establishments along the Fuente Osmeña rotunda have already complied while those along Gen. Maxilom Ave. have yet to provide lighting.
Meanwhile, Osmeña Blvd. will be closed for several hours today and tomorrow for the Sinulog sa Kabataan competitions.
The Sinulog sa Kabataan – Lalawigan will take place today from Capitol to the Cebu City Sports Center.
Tomorrow, the Sinulog sa Kabataan – Dakbayan will kick off at the Plaza Independencia and proceed toward the Cebu City Sports Center.
CCTO operations chief Jonathan “Joy” Tumulak said they have prepared re-rerouting schemes for the public utility jeepneys that will be affected by the closure of Osmeña Blvd. for the duration of the parade.
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