CANTILAN, Surigao Del Sur (MindaNews /12 January) — A portion of a major road in Butuan City will be temporarily closed to accommodate the “National Rally for Peace” organized by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) at the Butuan Sports Complex in Barangay Libertad on Monday, January 13.
The Butuan City Council approved the temporary road closure during its first regular session on January 7.
The ordinance specifies the following road sections to be closed to vehicular traffic from 12:00 noon on Monday until midnight, the eastbound lane of J.C. Aquino Avenue, from Bonbon Road to the end of the Sports Complex, and Bonbon Road, from J.C. Aquino Avenue to Capitol-Bonbon Road.
The City Council, through its official Facebook page, announced on Sunday that rally organizers are required to coordinate with the City Transportation and Traffic Management Department (CTTMD), barangay tanods, and the Butuan City Police Office-Traffic Enforcement Unit to manage traffic and ensure public safety during the event.
Traffic Management Plan for Iglesia Ni Cristo National Rally For Peace. Photo courtesy of Butuan City Transportation and Traffic Management Department
“Organizers will also be responsible for post-event road aftercare and will be held accountable for any incidents or damages,” the Butuan City Council stated.
The City Environment and Natural Resources Department will oversee cleanup activities after the rally to ensure proper waste management.
“The INC National Rally for Peace is anticipated to attract large crowds, making these measures essential for maintaining order and ensuring a smooth flow of traffic throughout the day,” the Butuan City Council added.
The CTTMD issued a traffic advisory on Sunday, informing the public about the temporary road closures and designated parking areas, as well as pick and drop-off points for rally participants.
The advisory also encouraged motorists to take alternative routes to avoid traffic congestion.
Alcubher Gallego, an INC member from San Isidro in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, told MindaNews that members of their lokal will travel to Butuan – approximately four hours away — for the rally.
“In our lokal alone, around 150 members will travel and participate in the peace rally,” Gallego said.
The INC in the Caraga region comprises six districts — Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Tandag City, Bislig City in Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands.
According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing by the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are 88,402 INC members in the Caraga region. (Ivy Mangadlao / MindaNews)