In observance of Holy Week Celso orders liquor ban,
Mayor Celso L. Lobregat has issued two executive orders, one imposing a traffic rerouting scheme, and the other banning the sale and drinking of liquor at Freedom Park in Abong-Abong during the observance of Holy Week.
Lobregat, now in the thick of his campaign trail in the barangays, issued the executive orders to allow Catholic faithful to observe the solemnity of Holy Week, the last week of the 40-day season of Lent, commemorating the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The chief executive said that the observance of Holy Week, particularly on Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, usually draws thousands of people from all walks of life at the Mayor Cesar C. Climaco Freedom Park in Abong-Abong, Pasonanca for the traditional vigil and Way of the Cross prayers, thus causing vehicular and pedestrian traffic congestions on roads leading to the park.
“To prevent such disorderly traffic congestion, it is necessary to adopt and implement a temporary traffic re-routing scheme for all vehicles plying routes to the Abong-Abong Park,” Lobregat said in EO CL321-2010 issued last Friday.
Under the executive order, the road leading to Pasonanca Deep from its junction with the road leading to Pasonanca Elementary School up to the ZCWD motor pool and Luyahan housing project will be maintained as two-way traffic street. However, said road from the entrance to the ZCWD motorpool leading all the way to Km 6 at the entrance to Abong-Abong is one-way traffic, but vehicles coming from the ZCWD motor pool may either turn left to the public swimming pool and exit to Pasonanca road (Jardin Maria Clara) or go all the way up to Km.6 and turn left to Pasonanca main road leading to the city proper.
The same order also declares the Freedom Park as walk-in from the entrance to Km.6, Pasonanca road to the park via Carmen Valley up to the exit at the junction of Pasonanca-Abong-Abong-Murok Road and Pasonanca-Abong-Abong-Tumaga (Luyahan) Road.
“All types of motor vehicles whether public conveyances or privately-owned including motorcycles and habal-habal are barred from going into the park, except those owned by residents of Carmen Valley and Km.7, provided with passes from the barangay chairman of Pasonanca,” the mayor said in his order.
Likewise, tthe park’s road leading to the “Cruz Mayor” is also declared absolutely “no entry” even for bicycles or pedicabs, and that absolutely no structure for vending purposes shall be constructed from Station of the Cross 1 up to the “Cruz Mayor.”
The Barangay Council and the police station commander shall designate an area for vending for as long as the structure will not obstruct the free flow of pedestrian traffic at the park. The pedestrians are also encouraged to use the covered walkway from Km.6 to Km.7 to avoid accidents, thus the barangay tanod are enjoined to ensure orderly compliance with the order.
The road after the Abong-Abong Bridge at Km. 7 is strictly declared a one-way traffic and exit to Pasonanca-Muruk-Tumaga road. The city government’s towing truck shall be deployed in the area to respond to any emergency situation that will require towing of wrong parked vehicles.
Meanwhile, Lobregat issued CL322-2010, prohibiting the sale and drinking of liquor and other intoxicating beverages at the Abong-Abong Park. The gun ban shall also be effectively implemented at the park during the Holy Week.
The police and other law enforcement units based in the city have been directed to implement both executive orders, which will take effect from March 31 to April 3, 2010. (Vic Larato)