AT least 22 buses will provide free rides from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. from different areas in Cebu for those who will attend the burial rites of Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal in the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral today.
With the thousands of people expected to join today’s procession, Councilor Dave Tumulak said they prepared three plans, depending on the number of people who will join.
Under plan A, the funeral convoy will proceed to P. Burgos St., upon exit from Cathedral, to Osmeña Blvd., to D. Jakosalem St. and then to Gomez St., before going back to the church.
Plan B will start still along P. Burgos St., upon exit from the Cathedral, to Osmeña Blvd., D. Jakosalem St., Colon St. near Gaisano Main, and right turn to Mabini St. onwards to Gomez St.
For plan C, the funeral cortege will proceed to P. Burgos St., upon exit from Cathedral, to Osmeña Blvd., Colon St., in front of Metro Colon and right turn to Mabini St. then to Gomez St.
Tumulak said that the disaster team and the police, along with the church officials, will have to decide on which plan they will follow tomorrow immediately after the mass.
Those who will join are advised not to bring their vehicles to lessen congestion in the area since the Cebu City Transportation Office will implement traffic re-routing on roads near the Cathedral for the burial today.
The City has designated the parking area for vehicles at the South Road Properties.
Service
The cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue will also provide vehicles to all those who want to attend the mass.
In a press conference, Mayor Paz Radaza announced that two city buses and four Elf trucks will travel from the city hall to Plaza Independencia, as a service to the Oponganons.
Mayor Radaza said the vehicles will leave City Hall at 7:30 a.m. for the requiem at 9 a.m. in the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
The mayor will also ask the barangay if they can lend their vehicles to the public in case there are more people who would like to go to the cathedral to pay their last respects to the prelate.
These vehicles will travel back to Lapu-Lapu City at 1 p.m.
Last Tuesday, Radaza visited the cardinal’s wake.
“We will miss him a lot. Iyang pagtulun-an ato gyud nang ibutang sa atong dughan (His teachings will always be kept in our hearts),” she said.
In Mandaue City, Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna said a bus, a coaster and three vans will be on standby at the City Hall grounds as early as 6 a.m. to bring Mandauehanons who want to attend the funeral rites.
Fortuna, who is serving as the acting mayor, said all flags in the city will be flown at half-staff for one week.
“The City of Mandaue joins the entire Cebuano community in mourning the loss of the well loved, revered and respected Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal J. Vidal,” said Fortuna. (FMG, RVC)