Communication and coordination are the two things that are being given attention as Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI) does not want to leave any stone unturned for the 2013 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines slated Aug. 4 at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.
A final coordination meeting was called yesterday for all stakeholders that included SEI, the Cebu Province, main host city Lapu-Lapu and the cities of Mandaue, Cebu and Talisay to make sure that all concerns regarding communication, crowd control, traffic, security, medical and road repairs will be tackled for the smooth running of this international race that has attracted participants from 35 countries.
“This is the most intense preparation that we have done,” said SEI general manager Princess Galura. “We are now utilizing every single department here in Cebu for the hosting of the event. Kung dati, medyo nagkanya-kanya yung mga LGUs during the preparation of the event, this time, talagang lahat nagkakasundo-sundo, nagtutulungan na.”
The sheer number of participants, which has reached more than 2,000, meant that a big number of people representing various sectors will be involved in the organization of the event.
This is why SEI wanted to make sure that there will be no miscommunication among all sectors, especially during race day.
Tapped to handle communication is the Federation of Volunteers Through Radio Communication, Inc. (FVRC) Cebu, which was represented by Maritoni Corominas in yesterday’s meeting hosted by Lapu-Lapu City.
Corominas said the main command center will be set up at the Shangri-La and sub-command centers at the Pusok barangay hall, Cebu International Convention Center, Total Gas Station near SM City Cebu, South Road Properties turning point at the Talisay City Hall, Shell Gas Station at SRP Talisay and at the SRP Mambaling exit.
Corominas said each communication station should have one representative from the traffic, crowd control, security and medical sectors. One communicator will also be allowed to ride the chopper to be provided by the Philippine Air Force. This communicator will be giving constant feedback to the main command center.
Also present were representatives from the Central Command, Philippine National Police, Department of Public Works and Highways, Cebu Port Authority, Cebu City Department of Public Services, City Traffic Operations Management, NAVFORCEN, Philippine Air Force and the University of Cebu represented by its athletic director Bernard Ricablanca.
All traffic divisions of the cities where bikers will be passing through are requested to pass their traffic rerouting plan to the Capitol for consolidation.
Provincial Tourism Officer Mary Grace K. Paulino said that they will call a press conference early next week to dessiminate the traffic rerouting plans from Lapu-Lapu to Mandaue, Cebu and Talisay.
For crowd control, UC will be fielding 2,500 college students to man the routes from Cebu to Talisay and 1,000 in Mandaue to Lapu-Lapu.
To avoid last year’s lapse wherein the volunteer students themselves were the first to break their lines and take photos of participating celebrities, all volunteers will be made to face the crowd and not the participants. All barangays affected by the race route will also field in tanods to help manage the crowd.