SOME ROADS will be closed for the mass launching of a prayer rally with an expected crowd of 50,000 set at San Pedro Square from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Jan. 28.
The nationwide prayer rally is initiated to signify disapproval of the signature campaign for a People’s Initiative to change the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
City Transport and Traffic Management Office chief Dionisio Abude signed the endorsement on Jan 23.
The closure will include San Pedro Street from corner Bolton to corner CM Recto; San Pedro Street from corner Bolton Extension to corner Magallanes; and Bolton Street from corner Rizal to corner San Pedro Street will be closed on Jan. 26, Friday at 10 p.m. until Jan. 29, Monday at 5 a.m.
Anda Street from corner Magallanes Street to corner Rizal Street, and Ponciano Street (Crooked Road) from corner Rizal Street to corner San Pedro Street will be closed from 8 a.m. on Jan. 27 to 5 a.m. on Jan. 29.
Meanwhile, San Pedro corner Anda to San Pedro corner Quirino; and Legaspi Street from corner Rizal Street to corner of Magallanes are closed from 8 p.m. on Jan. 27 to 5 a.m. on Jan. 29.
From 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Jan. 28, CM Recto comer Marco Polo to corner San Pedro Street; the entire length of Roxas Boulevard (one lane – Aldevinco Side) and San Pedro Extension from corner Quezon Boulevard to corner CM Recto will be closed.
Councilor Conrado C. Baluran, the committee on transportation and communications chair, said the road closures are necessary to cater to visiting guests from outside the city.
“This is a nationwide event and there are a lot of people coming from Luzon and Visayas to join the prayer rally, so there is a need for road closures,” Baluran told the media in a sideline interview during the regular session on Jan. 23.
The councilor clarified that the prayer rally was not designed to support the Dutertes but for all the concerned Filipinos.
“We cannot specifically say that. People who are coming from Visayas and Manila are opposing the events that are unfolding now,” he added.
Baluran said the initiative is in response to the alarm caused by the signature campaign convincing people to sign a petition in exchange for monetary compensation without fully explaining the content.
“As we all, an advocate of truth and justice, we cannot turn a blind eye to this matter but instead it is a challenge for us to beseech everyone to unite and safeguard the true interest of the Filipino people, especially us Davaoeños, in particular,” Baluran said.
