THE Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) prepared traffic schemes in preparation for the week-long celebration of the Chinese New Year in Cagayan de Oro City, which started on Friday, February 1.
On Friday, Capistrano St. (bounded by Gaerlan and T. Chavez Sts.) and Hayes Street (bounded by Rizal and Burgos Sts.) were closed to traffic at 2 p.m. until 8 p.m.
According to RTA officer-in-charge Nonito Oclarit, the road closure was to make way for the preparations of the City Government and the Filipino-Chinese Community for the opening program which was held at the City Hall mini park.
The Kong Hua School, Oro Christian Grace School and Wushu-CDO performed during the opening program.
On February 3, the Spring Festival Dragon Boat Race will be held in Kauswagan. Although, there will be no road closure during that day, Oclarit said there will be traffic enforcers stationed in the area to assist the people attending to the event.
"Hindi naman apektado ang daan natin sa may Kauswagan junction kasi diyan lang sila sa tabi ng ilog. Pero meron tayong traffic assistance na ilalagay diyan, may mga enforcers tayo na mag assist doon sa mga sasakyan na pupunta roon," Oclarit said.
On February 4, ceremonies will be conducted in the Bell Church in Barangay Macasandig and a fireworks display will be held in the evening.
Oclarit said there will be a temporary road closure in the road from Rodelsa Circle going to Bell Church or what they called as the south road of Rodelsa Circle.
He also said that there will be no closed roads during the motorcade on February 5, the day of the Chinese New Year, which will begin from Rodelsa Circle going around the city until the Bell Church.
"Yung route natin, mag-start sila dito sa Rodelsa Circle area, then papuntang Velez, ra-right turn sya sa may Abejuela Street sa Divisoria, left turn sa may Corrales Ave., right turn ng JR Borja Street going to Cogon Market. Pagdating doon, magle-left turn siya sa may Osmeña Street, then papuntang Recto Ave. Pagdating ng Recto Ave., magle-left turn nanaman siya papuntang na yang Marcos Bridge, le-left turn sa may Pelaez Blvd. Tuloy-tuloy na yan papuntang Vamenta Blvd., then le-left turn sila dito sa may Masterson Ave. papuntang Kagay-an Bridge. Then balik siya sa Rodelsa Circle and ra-right turn papuntang Bell Church," Oclarit said.
Oclarit also assured that the RTA personnel will be vigilant and alert for possible incidents during the events, especially with the recent bombings that occurred in Mindanao.