IN PREPARATION for the Araw ng Dabaw celebrations, the 20th City Council has approved temporary road closures in key city areas. Events such as Konsierto Dabawenyo on March 14 and Parada Dabawenyo on March 16 are expected to draw large crowds, prompting authorities to regulate traffic flow.
Councilor Conrado Baluran, chair of the transportation and communications committee, underscored the necessity of the closures to ensure public safety and the smooth conduct of activities. He urged motorists to take alternate routes as some major roads will be inaccessible during the festivities.
On March 11, road closures will begin at San Pedro Square starting at 1 a.m. for the ingress and will remain in effect until midnight on March 14.
For the Konsierto Dabawenyo, San Pedro Street—from C.M. Recto Avenue to Iñigo Street—will be closed from 1 p.m. until the event concludes.
The following day, March 15, the Marco Polo Grounds along Roxas Avenue will also be closed from 1 a.m. to midnight for stage setup.
The biggest road closures will be on March 16 to accommodate the Parada Dabawenyo. At 4 a.m., key streets such as Quezon Boulevard, Ramon Magsaysay Avenue, A. Pichon St., Rizal St., and the City Hall compound will be temporarily off-limits to vehicles. The parade route will start at Roxas Avenue, turning left to C.M. Recto Avenue, then right to Rizal St., followed by another left to Iñigo St. before concluding at San Pedro St.
To minimize traffic congestion, the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) has provided alternative routes. Vehicles coming from the north may take J.P. Laurel Avenue toward either Quirino Avenue or R. Castillo St. to reach McArthur Highway. Those traveling from the south can use McArthur Highway via Quirino Avenue, Magallanes St., or Sandawa Road.
Meanwhile, additional road restrictions will be implemented on March 16 at 1 p.m. for Hugyaw Dabaw, affecting traffic from C.M. Recto Avenue to Iñigo Street. The CTTMO has also announced that access to San Pedro Street from Bolton Street and Pichon Street will be restricted.
Motorists may instead use C.M. Recto Avenue, Rizal St., or Iñigo St. If traffic congestion builds up, Bonifacio Street will be opened as an alternative.
As the city gears up for its annual celebration, authorities urged the public to plan their routes and cooperate with traffic enforcers to ensure a smooth and festive Araw ng Dabaw. RGP