Weather an additional concern: Cebu braces for possible flooding of APEC routes

CEBU, Philippines - With weather disturbance threatening to rain on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit meetings, which start today, authorities have adopted mitigating measures and prepared for possible flooding along the event’s ceremonial routes.

Cebu City Traffic Office Executive Director Rey Gealon said they and the APEC national organizing committee are prepared once flooding is experienced in areas where delegates would go.

The hotels that will house the delegates are Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa in Lapu-Lapu City, Radisson Blu Cebu in Cebu City, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, and Marco Polo Plaza Cebu in Cebu City.

Gealon said what is of concern for them in Cebu City is the area near Radisson Blu at the North Reclamation Area.

“We will divert traffic of delegates in case of flooding at Radisson Blu.  We’ll proceed to the other entrance of the hotel,” he said.

CCTO Operations Chief Jonathan Tumulak said the APEC’s national organizing committee has already anticipated the possibility of flooding and has prepared a plan for it.

“What I know, mag-andam og 6x6 nga sakyanan in case mag-rescue sa atong delegates,” he said.

The delegates are expected to travel by vehicle from the airport in Lapu-Lapu City to hotels where they will be billeted. Those going to Cebu City hotels would pass new bridge, Plaridel Street, Ouano Avenue in Mandaue City and Serging Osmeña Boulevard to Radisson Blu; to Pope John Paul II Avenue for Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino; and Pope John Paul II Avenue and Salinas Drive for Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.

Tumulak, though, said there would be changes in the ceremonial route when they see the need.

“Puwede ra gyud ta magkalit-kalit og change labi na kun dunay flood. Atong gamiton ang other roads like M.J. Cuenco (Avenue),” he said.

Gealon said they have also prepared for other possible scenarios like protest rallies and delegates visiting tourist or heritage sites.

“We already know the protocol—where to go what to do…in case of rallies at hotel entrances, ingress must be cleared; site visits at Sto. Niño Church (Basilica del Santo Niño),Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Magellan’s Cross, etcetera.  Roads used for the delegates are already identified and intersections will be manned,” he said.

On the sudden implementation of a rerouting scheme last Thursday, Gealon said it would stay until the last day of the APEC meetings on September 7.

“We continue to seek the understanding and patience of the riding public and PUJ drivers to bear with this minute inconvenience for the greater good—the successful hosting of the APEC meetings in Cebu, on account of its gigantic impact to the international community and the economic opportunities we may gain out of this,” he said.

Tinago Barangay Captain Joel Garganera, on the other hand, said dredging continues as a mitigating measure against possible flooding in Cebu City.

Garganera is the designated chairman of the Cebu City government’s Reduction Danger Zones project, whose task is to minimize if not eradicate the hazard posed by overflowing rivers.

“Though the need to dredge the city’s waterways is already long, long overdue, still it’s never too late. Thus, we have acted already,” he said.

Yesterday, the REDZ team collected 20 tons of garbage while dredging the Tejero Creek, whose accumulated silt was two meters deep.

Garganera said that aside from narrow streams, the city’s major rivers would also be prioritized, particularly Bulacao River, Buhisan River, Kinalumsan River, Lahug River, Guadalupe River and the Mahiga Creek. — Jean Marvette A. Demecillo and May B. Miasco/RHM (FREEMAN)