- CHERYL G. CRUZ
A six-hour road closure, as well as temporary vehicle rerouting, will be implemented by the police and traffic management personnel at downtown Bacolod on Dec. 4 in line with the city’s Christmas Festival of Lights, lights-on ceremony, and opening of the Christmas Village at the public plaza.
As per the rerouting notice from the Bacolod City Police Office this afternoon, Dec. 2, the west side of Lacson Street, from 22nd Street to Rizal Street, will be closed from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., while no vehicles will be allowed to pass by Rizal-Locsin Street, from corner Rizal-Gatuslao Street, and southwest corner Gatuslao-Gonzaga Street, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, for the Parade of Lights.
One-way traffic will take effect from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. along Lacson Street, from Rizal to 22nd Street, and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gonzaga Street, from Araneta to San Juan and Luzuriaga streets.
Public utility vehicles from the south, including Tangub, Punta Taytay, Sum-ag, and Singcang Airport shall turn left to Gonzaga Street, left to San Juan Street, left to San Sebastian Street, then right turn to Araneta Street, all the way to Central Market.
For vehicles with Shopping/La Salle-Libertad route, right turn to Burgos Street, left to Hilado St., right to Galo St., left to Mabini St., right turn to Gozaga St., left to Gatuslao St. right to Mabini St. left to Margarita St., then straight to Lopez Jaena St., all the way back to point of origin.
For the Shopping/San Agustin-Libertad PUVs, go straight to Lopez Jaena St., right to Hernaez St., right to Mabini St., left to San Sebastian St., right to Locsin St., right to Rizal St., left to Lacson St., right to Burgos St., left to Hilado St., right to Malaspina St., left to Lopez Jaena St., all the way to point of destination, the BCPO said.
For the Mandalagan and Bata to Libertad PUVs, they should turn right to BS Aquino Drive, left to Gatuslao St., right to Burgos St., left to Palanca Rd., left to San Sebastian St., right to San Juan St., left to San Sebastian St., right to Araneta St., left to Lizares St, left to Margarita St., right to Lopez Jaena St., left turn to Mabini St., right to Rosario St., and right to Lacson St., all the way to point of destination.
Vehicles with Banago-Libertad route from point of origin should go straight to San Juan St, right to Rosario St., left to Yulo St., left to San Sebastian St., right to San Juan St., right to Yulo St., left to Lizares and Margarita streets, straight to Lopez Jaena St., then left to Luzuriaga and Mabini streets, right to Rosario and San Juan streets, left to San Sebastian, straight to Palanca Road, then right turn to Burgos St. all the way back to point of origin.
The Christmas Festival of Lights will kickoff at 5 p.m. with a float and lantern parade to be participated in by students of STI-West Negros University, the city PIO said, adding that the procession will start from Bangga Ramos to Gatuslao Street, going to the public plaza.
The program is set at 6:30 p.m., to be highlighted by the lights-on ceremony and opening of the Christmas Village with Mayor Alfredo Benitez, city officials, and guests. STI-WNU students will also compete in an arena dance, with the champion taking home P10,000, P7,000 for the first runner-up, P5,000 for the second runner-up, and P3,000 in cash prize each to four consolation winners./CGC
