Capitol, City, PNP brace for long weekend

CEBU, Philippines - Gov. Hilario Davide III has ordered a half-day work of employees  at the Cebu Provincial Capitol today, as authorities laid out measures in anticipation of the rush of people going to their hometowns and the cemeteries.

The governor said he made the decision to give full opportunity to the employees  to  properly observe All Saints’ Day tomorrow in all its religious fervor.

“All provincial government employees may take the afternoon off on October 31, 2013, except those offices performing vital functions involving the transacting public, which are required to maintain a skeletal force,” said Davide in a memorandum he issued yesterday.

 Malacañang earlier has also declared this Saturday, Nov. 2, as a special (non-working) day throughout the country.

In Cebu City, the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) is implementing a traffic rerouting plan today until Sunday in anticipation of the heavy flow of people and vehicles going in and out of cemeteries tomorrow and Saturday.

Authorities have identified possible congestion areas in the city based on past data and made a traffic rerouting plan to provide people a peaceful and orderly way to remember departed loved ones.

These include the cemeteries of Pardo, Labangon, Calamba, Talamban, Cebu Memorial Park (Cempark), Old San Miguel, Carreta, Doña Pepang, Chinese, Ludo, and Queen City Garden.

Meanwhile, Chief  Superintendent Danilo Constantino, Police Regional Office-7 director, said his office is hundred percent ready to safeguard the peace in the long weekend said.

In Cebu City, 536 policemen will be deployed in 22 cemeteries.

Sr. Supt. Noli Romana, Cebu City Police Office director, said that while they are monitoring cemeteries, they would also keep track of wanted persons.

 In Mandaue City, 163 policemen will be monitoring 10 different cemeteries while others will be stationed at the North Bus Terminal and the five wharves in the area.

At least 300 personnel, including force multipliers, would also be deployed in mainland Lapu-Lapu City and the three islets of Caubian, Caohagan and Olango according to Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, Lapu-Lapu City Office director.

For his part, Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, Cebu Provincial Police Office director, said he would deploy around 2,000 policemen to the 44 municipalities and six component cities of the province.

Gillamac said that aside from the police, they also have K9 units stationed in bus terminals and wharfs.

Supt. Paul Labra, Regional Intelligence Division officer-in-charge, said that while they have not monitored any robbery groups entering Cebu for the occasion, the public must adopt preemptive measures.

Also, some roads near the entrances and exits of cemeteries in Cebu City would be closed while traffic rerouting is in effect today until Sunday.

In particular, all vehicles are not allowed to pass through Dela Victoria St. and Sabellano Road leading to the Poblacion Pardo cemetery, where the designated parking area is at J. Tabura St. and at the offset bay along the south road fronting the church. Tabura St. has been identified as the loading/unloading area.

From Katipunan St., motorists are advised to take A. Lopez St., turn left to Balaga St. upon entering Labangon cemetery, and turn right to Tranza Road before going back to Katipunan. The opposite sides of Katipunan St. are designated as parking areas while Balaga road serves as loading/unloading areas.

While no road closure is implemented at the Calamba cemetery, parking is not allowed along V. Rama Ave. near the cemetery entrance and exit.

Tartanillas and trisikads are barred from entering V. Rama Ave. and are advised to take Alcantara Street.

In Talamban, vehicles heading to the cemetery from the downtown area and passing through Talamban proper should proceed to Borbajo St., turn left to SOS St., turn left or right to Miñoza St., then to their destination.  Those coming down from Barangay Pit-os should pass Miñoza St. Citom has designated Miñoza St. as parking area while the loading and unloading area is at the cemetery side of Miñoza St.

In Banilad, all vehicles, except trucks and trailers, coming from the downtown area should pass through Gov. Cuenco Ave.  In going to Cempark, the public turn right to J.Panis St. (the road leading to Cempark) and exit towards A.S. Fortuna St. or to Orel St.

The Gaisano Country Mall bowling lane complex is the designated parking area while J. Panis St. starting from the Cempark gate to gov. Cuenco Ave. is identified as loading/unloading area.

Those heading to the Old San Miguel, Carreta, Doña Pepang, Chinese, Ludo, and Queen City Garden cemeteries, are advised that passenger vehicles going beyond Mabolo  are directed to turn left to Juan Luna Ave., right to S. Osmeña Ave., right again to Gen. Maxilom Ave., right to J.C. de Veyra St., left  to Juan Luna Ave., right to M.J. Cuenco Ave., and then to their usual routes in going to their points of origin. 

The Lorega San Miguel cemetery area has been designated as parking area at the left side of Gen. Echavez Extn.  In going to the cemetery, the loading and unloading area is the right side of the street.

For the Carreta cemetery, vehicles can park along Gen. Maxilom Extn. (at former Sacred Heart School), while the loading and unloading area is the near the cemetery gate.

Those going to the Doña Pepang cemetery and the Chinese cemetery must use M. J. Cuenco Ave. as parking area, and load and unload passengers at the right portion of Don Andres Soriano Ave. when going to Juan Luna Ave.

Passenger vehicles coming from the north are also advised to proceed to Urot St., then turn right to Cabahug St., to A. Soriano Ave., left turn to Juan Luna Ave., right turn to S. Osmeña Ave., right to Gen. Maxilom Ave., right to J.C. de Veyra St., and left to 6th St.

Those from the south passing Benedicto St. should go to JC Veyra St. or turn right to Gen. Maxilom Extn., and left to S. Osmeña to their respective destinations at the SM City or the North Bus terminals. — Gregg M. Rubio, Jessa J. Agua, Ria Mae Y. Booc/RHM (FREEMAN)