THE Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) warned motorists of heavy traffic along the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) as hundreds of thousands of worshipers are expected to gather at the South Road Properties (SRP) on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, for the “Jesus Reigns Celebration.”
The organizers of the religious event told SunStar Cebu Monday, Nov. 28, that they are hoping to see more than 200,000 people at the venue following the two-year hiatus on mass gatherings brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
During its last staging in 2019, the event gathered at least 200,000 people, and this year, the organizers expect a huge attendance for the extravagant worship celebration.
As a measure to help ease the movement of vehicular traffic, the CCTO will be deploying more than 80 personnel in the CSCR who will also be augmented by volunteer marshals.
No closure
CCTO traffic aide III Jounald Bautista said no roads in the CSCR will be closed during the event but motorists should use alternative routes to avoid the possible heavy traffic.
The activity will begin with a motorcade that will start from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. from Talisay City and will traverse N. Bacalso Ave. going to A.S. Fortuna St. in Mandaue City and will then proceed to the venue at the SRP.
The organizers said 100 vehicles and 250 motorcycles will join the motorcade.
After the motorcade, the attendees will then gather at the venue for an afternoon prayer that will be followed by an “extravagant worship” that includes dance performances and musical band presentation.
The religious gathering will happen not only in Cebu but will be simultaneously held in 82 venues across all provinces in the country.
During a separate press conference, Cebu City Police Office director Col. Ireneo Dalogdog said 150 police personnel will be deployed to provide security in the area.
Dalogdog added that another 50 personnel will be placed on standby and ready to be deployed anytime. (IRT)