All systems go for burial; thousands expected to attend
Security is in place for today’s burial of the late Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
Police Supt. David Señor, chief of operations of the Cebu City Police Office, said at least 500 policemen will secure the route of the procession, which will take place following a mass and prior to the actual burial.
Vidal will be buried at the mausoleum at the back of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral where Vidal’s remains were placed for public viewing this past week.
Aside from the 500 policemen, Señor said force multipliers and covert cops will also help secure the streets.
Cebu City Transportation Office Operations chief Francisco Ouano said 50 traffic enforcers will be deployed at the procession route to man traffic.
Meanwhile, the provincial government will deploy 35 personnel to compose five medical teams that will be positioned along the procession route.
The teams will consist of doctors, nurses, and trained emergency medical responders from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
Two ambulances and a support vehicle will also be deployed in case of an emergency.
PROCESSION ROUTE
The Cebu City government has prepared three routes for the funeral procession.
Councilor David Tumulak said the route will depend on the number of attendees.
Plan A will be executed for 5,000 to 10,000 attendees. It will run from Burgos Street then turn right to Osmeña Boulevard then turn right to D. Jakosalem Street, and to P. Gomez Street.
Plan B will be executed if there are over 10,000 attendees. From Burgos Street, the procession will turn right to Osmeña Boulevard, turn right to D. Jakosalem Street, turn right to Colon Street, turn right to Mabini Street, and eventually to P. Gomez Street.
If attendees will reach 20,000, Plan C will be executed, which will have the procession proceeded to Osmeña Boulevard from Burgos Street, turn right at Metro Colon to Colon Street, turn right to Mabini Street, and turn right to P. Gomez Street.
Tumulak asked for public cooperation with changes that may be implemented.
Roads surrounding the Cathedral will be closed when the funeral will start at 9 a.m.
“Pero atong tan-awon kun daghan na gyud ang mga tao, atong sirad-an og sayo ang mga dalan,” Ouano said.
VEHICLES
Yesterday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-7 has issued 12 special permits for buses that will ferry those who will be attending the burial. Six permits were issued to Ceres Bus Liners, two permits to JRK bus company, two permits to JBH Trans, and two to International Pharmaceutical, Incorporated.
The buses will be for free.
Aside from these buses, the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue will also provide city-owned vehicles for their residents who will attend today's burial.
In Lapu-Lapu, two city buses and service vehicles from four barangays will be on standby at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall grounds at 7:30 a.m., said Mayor Paz Radaza.
“Anhi sa City Hall magkita. Naay i-service na bus for those gusto mosimba (sa burial mass). Dad-on sila ngadto sa Plaza Independencia from City Hall,” Radaza said.
Radaza said the vehicles will ferry the residents back to Lapu-Lapu City around 1 p.m.
She said senior citizens and persons with disabilities will be prioritized by the service vehicles.
In Mandaue, vehicles will be on standby at the Mandaue City Hall from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. to carry residents to the Cathedral in Cebu City.
At least three vans, a coaster, and a city bus will be used.
Those attending the funeral are urged not to bring private vehicles, considering there are only a limited number of parking spaces around the Cathedral.
Yesterday, a source from Office of Vice President Leni Robredo told The FREEMAN the vice president cannot attend the burial today.
"She cannot make it tomorrow. She has other commitments to attend that have been cancelled several times already," the source said yesterday.
Robredo, nevertheless, issued a statement on Vidal's passing.
"Cardinal Vidal was a true shepherd of his flock, providing guidance and calm assurance to our people during some of the most turbulent periods in our nation's history. He was a peacemaker in times of conflict, and a beacon of courage in times we Filipinos were called upon to stand up for what was just and right," she said.
She added that Vidal was a leader of faith who embodied some of the finest qualities of that commitment — serenity in the face of turmoil, perseverance in the face of adversity, conviction in the face of oppression.
LENI NOT ATTENDING?