ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO) is urging residents and motorists to conduct their transactions early in the city this Friday, January 31. A series of road closures is set to begin at 2 p.m. in the City Proper to accommodate the Chinese New Year Parade.
TTMO head Uldarico Garbanzos announced that the parade will start on Aldeguer Street and proceed through J. De Leon Street, Fermin Caram Street, and Iznart Street, eventually reaching the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.
Several major streets, including JM Basa, M. Peralta, and Ortiz streets, will be affected.
“This celebration is a significant event for Iloilo City. We are asking motorists to complete their transactions in the city before lunch, as the road closures will begin in the afternoon,” Garbanzos said.
Affected Streets and Closures
The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 2 p.m.:
* Montinola Street (Muelle Loney to Fermin Caram Street)
* Solis Street (Muelle Loney to Valeria Street)
* Yulo Street (Muelle Loney to Valeria Street)
* Arroyo Street (Muelle Loney to JM Basa Street)
* Arsenal Street (Muelle Loney to JM Basa Street)
* Aldeguer Street (Muelle Loney to Iznart Street)
* Guanco Street (Muelle Loney to Rizal Street)
* Mapa Street (Rizal Street to JM Basa Street)
* Ortiz Street (Rizal Street to Muelle Loney Street)
* Melliza Street (De La Rama Street to Muelle Loney Street)
* Calasanz Street (Zamora Street to Ortiz Street)
* Blumentritt Street (Muelle Loney to Iloilo Freedom Grandstand)
* General Luna Street/Quezon Street to Fermin Caram (restricted entry for public utility jeepneys)
* Delgado Street/Valeria Street to Fermin Caram Street
* Muelle Loney Street/Hervas Street to Iloilo Dinagyang Grandstand
* Dela Rama Street/Hervas Street to Calasanz Street
* Zamora Street/Calasanz Street to Ortiz Street
* entire JM Basa Street
* entire Fermin Caram Street
Public Utility Vehicle Rerouting
Public utility jeepneys (PUJs) and vehicles will be rerouted as follows:
* Ungka PUJs/PUVs will enter the city via Bonifacio Drive, unloading passengers at Muelle Loney, and exit via Atty. Cesar Drilon Bridge.
* La Paz/Tagbak City Proper PUJs/PUVs will use General Luna Street, Jalandoni Street, and Ledesma Street for unloading. They will exit via Valeria Street.
* Bo. Obrero/Lapuz/Buntatala PUJs/PUVs will use Muelle Loney for passenger drop-off and exit via Atty. Cesar Drilon Bridge.
* Villa/Mohon/SM City Proper/Baluarte PUJs/PUVs will use General Luna and Quezon Streets for entering and Valeria Street for exit.
* Calumpang Villa/Baluarte/Timawa PUJs/PUVs will proceed via Quezon Street and Ortiz Street, exiting via Valeria Street.
Private vehicles will have limited access to City Proper, excluding streets along the parade route. Trucks and trailers from Lapuz and B. Aquino Avenue are prohibited from entering the City Proper during the event.
Chinese New Year Event Schedule
Key activities for the Chinese New Year celebration include:
* January 27 – Launching Program at SM City Iloilo (3 p.m.)
* January 29 – Thanksgiving Mass at Santa Maria Chinese-Filipino Parish (8:30 a.m.)
* January 31 – Parade from Iznart Street to Iloilo Freedom Grandstand (4 p.m.); Cultural Show and Fireworks Display at Freedom Grandstand (6 p.m.)
* February 1 – Mall Show by Hua Siong College of Iloilo at SM City Iloilo (3 p.m.); Closing Program at Festive Walk Iloilo (5:30 p.m.)
* February 2 – Mall Show by Sun Yat Sen High School of Iloilo at SM City Iloilo (2 p.m.)
Motorists and commuters are advised to plan their routes accordingly to avoid inconvenience. /PN
