Traffic preps ongoing for IEC religious events in Cebu City

Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo, secretary general of the 2016 IEC, (2nd from left) with Margie Matheu of the IEC Secretariat meet with a City Hall working committee to discuss their preparations. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

HEAVY traffic can be expected in major thoroughfares in Cebu City starting next week until the end of  January for the Sinulog and the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), Cebu City Hall officials said.

City  officials and representatives of the Cebu Archdiocese met yesterday to discuss updates on IEC preparations.

A final  traffic scheme  is still being finalized for the duration of the IEC  on Jan. 24 to 31.

Last month, a dry run was held for  a traffic scheme where part of Pope John Paul II Avenue was off limits to private vehicles where the IEC Pavilion is located.

Only public vehicles were allowed to ply the road.

This plan will still be adjusted after the Archdiocese submitted its own traffic plan consisting of five routes for  buses that will ferry delegates from their accommodations to the venues for the IEC activities.

Tumulak said specific rerouting schemes will be followed  in areas where venues for IEC activities are located.

On January 24, Sunday, the opening Mass for IEC  will be held at  Plaza Independencia at 4 p.m.

Some roads  around the plaza will be closed.

A first communion activity will be held at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Road closures will be implemented along Leon Kilat St. to N. Bacalso Ave. and from P. Del Rosario St. To Junquera St.

On January 29, a Friday, a mass will be celebrated in front of the Cebu Provincial Capitol followed by a large religious procession to  Plaza Independencia.

The roads in front of the Capitol will be closed as early as 1 a.m. that day.

The closing Mass on Jan. 31, Sunday,  will be celebrated at the Calungsod templete area in the South Road Properties (SRP).

“For SRP, we are still studying what traffic scheme to use there knowing that SM Seaside City has just opened,” said Joy Tumulak, Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) operations chief.

He encouraged people who may get stuck in traffic and forced to walk to consider  it as a form of penitence in solidarity with the  IEC, which is expected to bring in 15,000 local and international delegates.

Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo told reporters the church  requested the city government for assistance in managing  traffic, garbage collection, and security among others.

Tumulak  reminded motorists to check the condition of their vehicles so that they  won’t bog down on the road and cause more traffic.”

“We in CCTO will make sure that even if there is traffic,  it will still be moving,” he said.