Traffic rerouting, road closures for ‘Kalag-Kalag’ set

Local

CEBU City is gearing up for a safer and smoother “Kalag-Kalag” as the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) rolls out a comprehensive traffic management plan from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.

CCTO head Raquel Arce announced the measures during a media forum on Tuesday, Oct. 28, detailing road closures, rerouted traffic, and special parking arrangements to ensure pedestrian safety and orderly movement during the long weekend.

Key traffic adjustments for major cemeteries include:

Cabantan (Barrio Luz): Road closed to all vehicles, except ambulances and patrol cars; vendors must remain on sidewalks.

Calamba (V. Rama): Both lanes remain open, but Lucio Drive will be closed from October 30 to November 2.

Carreta Cemetery: General Maxilom Avenue remains open for drop-offs only; vendors limited to the VECO side along MJ Cuenco Avenue.

Queen City Memorial Gardens: Parking available at G Mall and designated roadside areas; A. Soriano Avenue closed to PUVs, open only for private vehicles and drop-offs.

Arce reminded the public and vendors to comply with traffic and parking rules, saying, “Vendors must stay on sidewalks and avoid occupying roadways. We urge everyone to follow the traffic rules to ensure the safety of all during this long weekend.”

CCTO also issued reminders for provincial buses and mini-buses coming from the south to strictly use the innermost lane along N. Bacalso Avenue. V-hire units are prohibited from passing through the avenue and must instead take alternate routes via Leon Kilat Street, Sanciangko, C. Padilla, and the South Road Properties (SRP).

“All buses and mini-buses coming from Talisay must stay in the innermost lane,” Arce said. “This rerouting reduces congestion and ensures smoother traffic flow during the holiday.”

To accommodate the expected influx of passengers, the Cebu North and South Bus Terminals will open satellite terminals on October 30 and 31. The northern terminal will be located at the Ceres bus garage beside S&R in Mandaue City, and the southern terminal at the Ceres garage in Kinasang-an, Pardo.

Ahmed Cuizon, manager of the terminals, said the measure aims to decongest main terminals, which typically serve around 19,000 passengers at the South Terminal and about half that at the North Terminal during peak travel periods.

“By diverting some commuters to satellite terminals, we hope to reduce crowding and make travel safer and more efficient,” Cuizon said.

Both terminals have undergone improvements for the holiday rush.

At the South Bus Terminal, renovated restrooms and additional air-conditioning units have been installed, while the front and back areas will be asphalted by the end of November. The North Terminal now features clearer signage, improved vehicle flow, and more seating space.

To safeguard passenger health, the Provincial Government will deploy teams to set up health stations offering free basic medical attention and blood pressure checks at the main terminals.(TGP)