CITOM: Brace for more traffic congestion ahead

CEBU, Philippines - The City Traffic Operations Management has warned the public of  more heavy traffic in the coming days following the formal launching of the Sinulog activities this afternoon.

CITOM operations chief Jonathan Tumulak said the public should brace for heavy traffic until the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 18. He said that the flashing traffic light experiment has helped traffic enforcers lessen the effect of the congestion.

Traffic congestion is mostly felt in downtown area particularly at the vicinity of Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño since the novena masses have started yesterday.

Tumulak said the enfor-cers have to depend on their handheld radios and manual traffic system to ease the traffic. He said that the volume of people in the downtown has contributed to the traffic congestion in the city streets.

Meanwhile, the CITOM has implemented a rerouting today for the launching parade from Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño to the Cebu City Sports Center.

According to CITOM, public utility vehicles from Capitol and Lahug passing Osmeña Boulevard, to Fuente Oval, turn right to B. Rodriguez St., left turn to V. Rama Avenue, proceed to V. Rama Extension., then to their destination. Jeepneys from Carbon Area, shall turn left to F. Gonzales St., left turn to Magallanes St., right turn to Borromeo St., left turn to Sanciangko St., right turn to Panganiban St., left turn to N. Bacalso Ave., right turn to V. Rama Avenue, then to their point of origin.

Jeepneys coming from Lahug passing General Maxilom Avenue, shall use F. Ramos St., right turn to Junquera St., left turn to Colon St., left turn to D. Jakosalem St., then to their point of origin.

Passenger jeeps coming from Talamban passing Junquera Street/F. Ramos St., shall turn left to Sikatuna St., straight to Mabini St., right turn to V. Gullas St., right turn to D. Jakosalem St., to their usual route, then to their point of origin. While Talamban route passing Sikatuna St., shall turn right to Colon St., right turn to D. Jakosalem St., then to their point of origin.

 PUJs coming from the Basak, Pardo, and Labangon passing P. del Rosario St., shall turn right to V. Rama Extension, left turn to Tres de Abril St., left turn to C. Padilla  St.,  right  turn  to Panganiban St., left turn to Magallanes St., left turn to Borromeo St., to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

Jeepneys from Mandaue City passing V. Gullas St., shall turn left to P. Burgos left turn to Jereza St., left turn to M.J. Cuenco Avenue, to their usual route.

Tumulak said that dri-vers and the public should follow traffic signs installed along the affected routes to minimize traffic congestion.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros said that this year’s launching will be more colorful compared to last year’s.

Mayor Michael Rama yesterday inspected the Sinulog parade route together with the department heads.

Rama has ordered CITOM to pull out the concrete barriers and railings along Maxilom Avenue to avoid road obstruction during the grand parade. (FREEMAN)