Traffic, security plans being readied for IEC

With less than a week to go, Cebu City Hall is finalizing traffic and security plans for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC).

Rafael Yap, Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) chief, said yesterday’s traffic dry run was a success.

“We had no problem since there had been security and traffic templates used for the Capitol grounds to Plaza Independencia events. In terms of the result, it was really successful. Right now, we are identifying contingency plans,” Yap said.

He said car passes will be issued to vehicles entering venues for the activities lined up for the IEC. These car passes can be claimed from the Cebu Archdiocese.

The bulk of the activities will be held at the IEC Pavilion inside the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos on John Paul  II Avenue, barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

“Every event will have a different car pass. Delegates themselves will be given, including those residents who will get affected by the route like those living in Pope John Paul II area,” Yap said.

He said the car pass system will help keep tabs on the number of vehicles entering certain venue sites to avoid congestion.

“There will be designated drop off areas, not far away,” Yap said.

Yap said they are looking at Fuente Osmeña circle as an evacuation area.

He said there will be areas especially Osmeña Boulevard that will be closed to traffic, especially the stretch from Fuente Osmeña to P. del Rosario. Alternate routes will be provided.

The Cebu provincial police and the Police Regional Office said they will extend assistance to the city government in managing traffic flow.

Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, who heads the Task Force Cebu for the IEC, said they don’t see any security threat so far.

“Expect an increase in checkpoints and police assistance desk along the streets and also in hotels identified as hosting the delegates. We will also inspect off-site venues like the Cebu City Sports Complex, Capitol building, Hoops Dome and Plaza Independencia,” Lawas told reporters.

Dr. Joanri Riveral, medical specialist of the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7), said they will be installing scanners in terminals to monitor the presence of viral diseases that may have afflicted delegates to the IEC.