BACOLOD City — In a shift from previous years, Bacolod City will not implement road closures on the traditional observance of Fiesta Minatay, instead opting for a one-way traffic scheme in busier areas to manage the anticipated crowds.
On November 1 (All Saints’ Day) and November 2 (All Souls’ Day), the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) will enforce a one-way system along Burgos Street near Bacolod North Cemetery.
Only vehicles, primarily public utility jeepneys (PUJs), traveling from east to west will be allowed on this section of Burgos Street.
Vehicles needing to return east will be redirected through Malaspina Street in Barangay Villamonte, said BTAO Deputy Jose Antonio Robello.
To ensure smooth traffic flow, BTAO will deploy around 80 traffic enforcers across areas near the city’s 14 cemeteries.
The deployment will be split into two shifts, with 40 enforcers on duty in the morning and another 40 in the afternoon, according to Robello.
Additional adjustments have been made around Araneta Street from the corners of Gonzaga Street and Luzuriaga Street. This area, usually reserved for flower vendors near Bacolod Public Plaza, will continue as a one-way traffic zone, accommodating flower sellers displaced by food kiosks remaining from the recently extended MassKara Festival.
Meanwhile, flower prices have seen a slight rise this year. Flower vendor Rose Marie Resguardo noted that a small basket of ordinary flowers now sells for P150, up from P100 last year, attributing the price increase to Typhoon Kristine’s impact on flower supply./PN
