THE Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) has advised the public of road closures and public transport rerouting from Jan. 17-19 for the 2025 Sinulog Festival and 460th Fiesta Señor.
Meanwhile, in Lapu-Lapu City, 400 police personnel will be deployed to ensure the safety of visitors and devotees during the 460th Fiesta Señor Traslacion 2025 at midnight on Saturday, Jan. 18.
Cebu City rerouting
In a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 16, CCTO chief Raquel Arce urged the public and motorists to plan and manage their trip in preparation for the several road closures and rerouting of public transport that will be implemented for the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday and other religious events on Saturday.
Here are some of the specific traffic rerouting plans for public utility vehicles (PUVs) on Sunday:
PUVs coming from Talamban shall travel to Gov. Cuenco Ave., proceed to Archbishop Reyes Ave., turn left to Mindanao Ave., then left again to Bohol Ave. to Luzon Ave. back to Arch. Reyes Ave. before going back to Talamban.
PUVs coming from Gorordo Ave. have to U-turn at the intersection of Archbishop Reyes Ave., in front of Asilo de la Milagrosa, then back to Gorordo Ave.
PUVs coming from Oprra must turn left to Escario St., then turn right to Osmeña Blvd. Then they must make a U-turn from the intersection between Jasmin St. and M.P. Yap St. back to Escario St. and back to Oprra.
PUVs coming from Banawa or Guadalupe have to traverse M. Velez St., then turn right to Don Gil Garcia St., then take the next right to Jasmin St., back to Osmeña Blvd., and return to M. Velez St. for the Banawa or Guadalupe route.
PUVs for the 12L routes have to turn left to V. Rama Ave. from N. Bacalso Ave., go straight to the intersection of M. Velez St. and Salvador St., then turn right to Salvador St.
PUVs coming from Basak or Inayawan must traverse from C. Padilla St., then turn right to Lakandula St., go right to Tupas St., then right again to Carlock St., before heading back to C. Padilla St. and returning to Basak or Inayawan.
Only PUVs with 10M and 01K routes will be allowed to enter Colon St., while the 01K will still proceed to Sambag Road then to J. Alcantara St. then exit to V. Rama to Tres de Abril then to Colon St. back to its original route.
Meanwhile, CCTO deputy chief Kent Francis Jongoy said that on Sunday at 2 a.m., the Osmeña Blvd. from Fuente Osmeña Circle will be closed to accommodate the arrival and placement of the props of the 45 contingents that will perform at the CCSC.
At 8 a.m., there will be total road closures within the Sinulog Carousel Route, which starts and ends at CCSC.
The CCTO will also implement a no-parking zone for any vehicles in areas around the Sinulog Carousel Route on existing traffic signages.
Jongoy added that the City Council approved the private towing companies to tow any unauthorized vehicles parked in undesignated zones.
The towed vehicles will be sent to Block 27 at the North Reclamation Area, where the vehicles will only be released upon completion of payment.
More than 500 CCTO personnel will be deployed to manage the traffic and road closures within and around the parade route.
Traslacion security
Meanwhile, LCPO spokesperson Lt. Col. Christian Torres told reporters in a press conference that the police officers will be positioned from the first bridge going to the Nuestra Señora de Regla Parish National Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City.
Torres said the measure aims to enhance security during the traditional Traslacion motorcade, where the religious image of Señor Santo Niño will be transported to Lapu-Lapu City.
“We have police officers positioned at key areas like the Muelle Osmeña Wharf and the first bridge since these are the main gathering points for people during the fluvial procession. These personnel are deployed to ensure peace and order, as well as to manage the traffic flow on the bridge,” said Torres in Cebuano.
The seaborne procession commemorates Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival in Cebu in 1521. A galleon bearing the images of Sto. Niño, the Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Saint Joseph the Laborer will journey through the Mactan Channel, returning from Lapu-Lapu City to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu.
In 2024, approximately 4,000 to 5,000 individuals participated in the Traslacion and seaborne procession.
‘Bombing Simex’
Meanwhile, a collaborative effort by various local law enforcement agencies and the City Government conducted a bombing simulation exercise imitating an explosion followed by a stampede on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
Torres said the simulation is part of the Traslacion preparation at the church, designed to address the potential “worst-case scenario” that could occur during the religious event.
“We planned for a potential explosion and outlined the necessary steps to take in such a situation…We also emphasize vigilance. We call on everyone to help watch out for suspicious individuals, objects, or backpacks left unattended anywhere and report it immediately... Let’s work together and stay alert,” said Torres. / EHP, DPC