By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The Team Uswag slate, led by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, will hold a foot parade and caravan on Oct. 8, ahead of their filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC), causing road closures on several streets in Iloilo City.
Affected streets include portions of General Blanco Street, Mapa Street, JM Basa Street, Ledesma Street, Quezon Street, and J. De Leon Street in the City Proper.
Iloilo City Transportation and Traffic Management Office (TTMO) head Uldarico Garbanzos confirmed that Team Uswag has secured a permit for the event.
The Iloilo City Council unanimously passed an ordinance approving the road closures during its regular session on Oct. 2.
Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, chair of the Committee on Transportation, stated that the road closures are necessary to ensure smooth traffic flow as a large crowd is expected.
“Garbanzos said they have no objection to the closure, and they are on top of the situation. We also saw it proper to pass it on the floor,” Cabaluna said.
Reports suggest that between 15,000 to 18,000 supporters are expected to join the political caravan.
Cabaluna also confirmed that Team Gugma, led by Iloilo City lone district Rep. Julienne Baronda, has not submitted or requested a similar road closure for their parade.
“Without a permit, they will not be allowed to occupy a space on the road. It is only through an ordinance that we can temporarily close roads for activities like a caravan,” he explained.
The councilor emphasized that it is now too late for Team Gugma to submit documents for road closures related to their political activities, as the City Council’s session on Oct. 2 was the last one before the COC filing deadline.
However, Cabaluna assured there would be no issues as long as their activities involve moving traffic and do not require road closures.
Team Gugma is also expected to file their COC earlier on Oct. 8.
