No re-routing during Traslacion but traffic warning up

CEBU, Philippines – No re-routing, but the public is warned of possible heavy traffic congestion in some Mandaue City thoroughfares ahead of Friday's "Traslacion."

Traslacion is the Catholic Church's practice of taking the images of Our Lady of Guadalupe and of Sr. Sto. Niño from the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño in Cebu City to the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City, two days before the Sinulog Grand Parade.

The Holy Child, together with Our Lady of Guadalupe, is expected to arrive in Mandaue around 9 a.m. and be met by devotees in Barangay Subangdaku. From there, a procession will then proceed to the St. Joseph Shrine where a mass will be held at 9:30 a.m.

Mandaue's traffic management team is appealing for public's cooperation as the procession may stall traffic on portions of Lopez Jaena and M.C. Briones Streets.

"We are asking for the patience from the motorists as the procession would only last 30 to 40 minutes from Innodata in Barangay Subangdaku to the National Shrine of St. Joseph," said Edwin Ermac, director of Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue.

During the procession, all vehicles on the intersections of C.D. Seno Street, Basubas Street in Barangay Tipolo, and Logarta Street will be held for 15 minutes to allow the procession to pass by.

"Inig labay sa last element sa convoy, una pa nato sila (motorista) buhian. Kinahanglan palabyon sa gyud ang procession aron dili magyagaw ang dalan," Ermac said.

Ermac added that when the procession is already near Innodata in Barangay Subangdaku, traffic enforcers stationed in the north will then advise vehicles going to Cebu City to take the North Reclamation Area.

Those who are already at the M.C. Briones will be held for at least 10 to 15 minutes to also allow the convoy to pass by Lopez Jaena Street then to A.O. del Rosario Street before turning right to S.B. Cabahug Street leading to the National Shrine, he said.

Ermac said 160 members of TEAM will be mobilized to man traffic during Traslacion.