THE 20th City Council approved on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the temporary closure of several streets in Davao City to accommodate the Simultaneous Nationwide Peace Rally organized by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) on January 13, 2025.
The road closures will begin with a partial closure on January 11, starting at 9 p.m. and lasting until 4 a.m. on January 12. Streets affected include San Pedro Street, C.M. Recto Avenue, Pelayo Street, Iñigo Street, C. Bangoy Street, Rizal Street, Bonifacio Street, and Palma Gil Street. On January 13, a full closure of these streets will commence at 8 a.m. and continue until the program concludes. Additionally, the Davao City Coastal Road from Tulip Drive to Bago Aplaya will experience a partial closure on the same day.
Councilor Conrado Baloran, chairperson of the committee on transportation and communications, proposed the closures to facilitate the peace rally.
Bong Estudillo, INC’s regional legal officer for the Davao Region, said during the session that the event aims to promote peace.
“Wala po yung magagawang mabuti sa ating bayan mas maganda daw po na unahin muna yung mahahalagang issue na nangyayari sa ating bansa (It would not do any good for our country. It would be better to prioritize the more important issues happening in our nation),” he said.
He also expressed support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s stance against the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing that the country should prioritize more pressing issues. Estudillo added that the rally is expected to draw over 300,000 INC members from Davao Region and Soccsksargen.
Despite the event's purpose, concerns were raised by some councilors regarding its potential impact. Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III noted that the closures would affect major business thoroughfares, while Councilor Bernard Al-ag highlighted that January 13 falls on a Monday, which could lead to significant traffic congestion.
Addressing these concerns, Dionisio Abude, head of the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), assured that a comprehensive rerouting plan has been prepared to minimize disruptions.
He said the rerouting scheme is similar to those implemented for major city events such as Araw ng Dabaw and Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan.
According to Abude, vehicles from Calinan will have alternative routes to avoid the affected areas.
Those traveling from Toril will be redirected through Quirino Avenue, A. Pichon St. (formerly Magallanes), Roxas Avenue, and back to Quimpo Boulevard. He also noted that Roxas Avenue would remain open, providing additional access for vehicles heading to Quirino.
Abude also said that the CTTMO supports the closures, citing the city’s experience managing similar events and ensuring smooth traffic flow despite the adjustments. RGP
