Roads to Capitol closed 1 to 9 PM

With President Aquino expected to attend tomorrow’s 5 p.m. political rally outside the Provincial Capitol, the event will tie up heavy, going-home Friday traffic.

Roads leading to the Capitol will be closed from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the proclamation rally of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK).

A permit was approved yesterday by traffic managers, including road closures in parts of Osmeña Boulevard, M. Velez Street, Escario Street and the area in front of the Capitol.

A motorocade by candidates of the BO-PK and Liberal Party-Cebu slate will be held.

Jeepneys and public utility vehicels using Osmena Boulevard will be rerouted especially those heading for Guadalupe and Lahug, said Rafael Yap, head of the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management. (See map)

Security checks will be tight in anticipation of President Aquino’s appearance.

With this, Nagiel Bañacia of BO-PK asked rally participants not to brink back packs or sharp items like ballpoint pens.

He said police personnel from Cebu city and the Police Regional Office will be fielded to secure the area. Bañacia applied for the rally permit, requesting for a road closure from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., and paid a fee of P2,465.

BO-PK leader Rep. Tomas Osmeña said the rally would start at 5 p.m. and last for two hours.

Part of Osmeña Boulevard from MP Yap Street, the one-way road fronting Coco Mall, to the Capitol grounds will be used as drop off area and parking for rally participants.

Vehicles from Guadalupe headed to uptown Cebu City will be re-routed to Don Gil Garcia Street which is parallel to Osmeña Boulevard then to Fuente Osmena Circle.

Those using Escario Street and headed to the uptown area will be diverted to Juana Osmeña Road then to J. Avila Street.

Vehicles from Lahug may also pass through J. Avila St. from J. Osmena St., and at the back of Cebu Doctors’ Hospital to reach Fuente Osmeña Circle.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he would even make his Team Rama allies available to help man traffic during the rally.

“We have to make them (BO-PK) feel that my administration will not make it difficult for them,” he said. Doris Bongcac with Correspondents Jose Santino S. Bunachita and Edison delos Angeles