No Cebu holiday during APEC but convoy can use sirens

An average of 20 to 30 minutes was clocked as travel time by the mock convoy to and from the starting point at Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa to the hotel venues in Cebu City during the traffic reroute dry run for APEC. (CDN PHOTO/ TONEE DESPOJO)

NO holiday will be declared in Cebu during the APEC meetings in August and September but a truck ban is being suggested to ensure smooth flowing traffic in the metropolis.

“I don’t think it’s needed,” said Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr., when he was asked yesterday whether a non-working day or more would be announced.

He told reporters in Cebu that a holiday would be more appropriate in Manila where meetings there will take place amidst severe congested traffic.

He said travel time of 30 minutes to an hour from one venue hotel to another in Cebu was manageable, but added that  a final decision  on this would depend on the recommendation of the Cebu organizing committee.

In yesterday’s first traffic  dry run, sirens blared  as a convoy passed by, surprising some motorists.

“I think the use of the sirens is justified,” Paynor said, when he was asked later if President Aquino’s “no wangwang policy” would be followed.

Paynor said the sirens were important for safety reasons to signal ahead to vehicles to pull over or give way.

READ: Traffic groups to implement truck ban along APEC routes

The test convoy yesterday had  seven vehicles led by five motorbikes that travelled from Shangri-la Mactan resort in Lapu-Lapu city to the Marco Polo Plaza in Cebu City.

The presence of trucks  delayed the travel time, traffic officials observed.

A 5 a.m. -to-8-a.m. truck ban was in effect at the North Reclamation Area before  the  9 a.m. dry run, Cebu City Traffic (CTTO) operations chief Joy Tumulak said.

If no roads are  closed during APEC meetings, there should be fewer vehicles along the route between venues, Tumulak said.

It took 31 minutes to get from Shangri-La resort at an average speed of 40-60 kilometers per hour.

But it took less time or  23 minutes to return to Shangri-La at an average speed of 60-70 kph.

“We’re thankful that the same strategy was implemented in Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Cebu City to disregard traffic lights. Before  the convoy, we also asked vehicles to be give way. We’re happy with the result,” Tumulak said.

The convoy had to slow down in portions of Plaridel Street in Mandaue City and Pope John Paul II Ave. in Cebu City.

Meanwhile, Paynor said that on APEC dates, organizers will be bringing in 50 BMW sedans, 100 Grandia vans, 50 additional police cars and 50 motoryclces on top of the vehicles being used by local governments.

Tow trucks will be standing by to remove obstructions from the route, he said.

And since the Radisson Blu, where most meetings will be held, is flood prone during a downpour, Paynor said he asked the Philippine Army to provide 6×6 trucks in case of flooding.

“It will be an adventure for our guests,” he said in a light vein, to ride the trucks to get from one venue to another, if needed.

The ongoing road concreting project along Plaridel Street  in Mandaue City will be completed by next week, Tumulak reported. If not, work there will be suspended.