ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 1 (PNA) — Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Wednesday called on the police and military including barangay officials and volunteers and agencies concerned to coordinate efforts and ensure a solemn and orderly observance of the Holy Week in this city.
At the same time, Salazar appealed to residents to strictly heed rules and regulations set by authorities specifically the prohibition in the bringing of backpacks at the Cesar Climaco Freedom Park in Mount Abong-Abong and other provisions in Executive Orders 109 and 110 that took effect 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The observance of Holy Week, particularly on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, draws thousands of people from all walks of life to the Climaco Freedom Park in Mount Abong-Abong, Barangay Pasonanca for the traditional vigil and Way of the Cross prayers, thus causing vehicular and pedestrian traffic congestions on roads leading to the park.
The station of the cross is located in Mount Abong-Abong leading to the foot of Pulong Bato, which is the highest peak of this city.
The two EOs will remain in effect until 6 a.m. April 4, Black Saturday.
E.O.-BC-109 orders a temporary rerouting scheme on roads leading to the Climaco Freedom Park and declaring the place as a walk-in park for the duration of the Holy Week.
E.O.-BC-110 on the other hand, prohibits the bringing, sale and drinking of liquor and other intoxicating drinks, bringing of audio/video equipment and playing of loud music and the bringing of firearms, bladed weapons, backpacks and other similar items within the Climaco Freedom Park from April 1 to 4.
The police are directed to confiscate and dispose immediately all prohibited items.
Salazar said that violators are to be conducted to the police station for investigation and filing of appropriate charges or imposition of fines.
Senior Supt. Angelito Casimiro, Zamboanga City police director, said they expect some 20,000 Catholic faithful to converge in Mount Abong-Abong from Maundy Thursday until Good Friday.
Dr. Rodelin Agbulos, City Health Officer, said medical teams composed of several medical personnel will be deployed at the Climaco Freedom Park to attend to patients who might need medical assistance from for the duration of the Holy Week.
However, Agbulos said that this year they will not use its mobile van as had been the practice in the recent years.
“We will set up medical tents with doctors, nurses and emergency rescue [workers] on duty,” he said.
He also shared that ambulances will be positioned in the area in case of emergencies.
“We will have ambulances on standby. We have coordinated with other agencies such as the police, Department of Health and the Philippine Red Cross,” he added. (PNA)