by Maroe T. Genosa/PNA
The city government has laid out plans in preparation for Catholic faithful and pilgrims, who are expected to flock to the “Mother of Asia, Tower of Peace,” popularly known as the “Monte Maria” pilgrimage destination in Barangay Pagkilatan this city, during the Lenten Season.
City Mayor Beverley Dimacuha told PNA on Tuesday that she has formed a committee composed of various city departments and offices, including village chiefs for the action plans, to usher in the surge of thousands of devotees and tourists who will visit the sacred site where a towering 63-meter image of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands at a hill overlooking the famous Verde Island Passage and Batangas Bay.
Dimacuha said the committee has tasked village chiefs from the coastal barangays Libjo, Ambulong, Tabangao Aplaya, Pinamucan Proper, Pinnamucan Ibaba, Simlong, Mabacong and Pagkilatan to ready their respective routes and contingency plans.
The Transportation Development and Regulatory Office (TDRO) will be deploying a huge number of traffic enforcers along the main routes to avert traffic congestion.
Dimacuha also disclosed that the committee has put premium on the safety and security of the devotees, pilgrims and tourists, as scores of barangay tanods (village watchmen) will be deputized to support TDRO personnel.
She said signage on routes, entrance and exit, and traffic reminders, will be put in place, including the enforcement of a truck ban, for the affected areas starting 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. on April 17 to 19.
The Batangas City Police Office will also deploy cops to ensure peace and order and security concerns for the pilgrims, devotees and tourists.
Health workers and emergency management teams from the City Health Office and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) will also be stationed at strategic areas.
In view of the expected surge of vendors and hawkers, Dimacuha said the committee has decided to designate a common vending site to avoid traffic congestion, through the support of village women sectoral organizations that are encouraged, not only to promote their local products, but also increase their income during the Lenten activities.
Meanwhile, General Services Officer Jocelyn Cantre also said garbage trucks will also be dispatched to collect trashes starting Holy Monday (April 15) until Easter Sunday (April 21).
Cantre said frequent reminders shall be made to village key personnel, and tarpaulins shall be posted for the designated and segregated garbage receptacles along the route and at the pilgrimage site to ensure cleanliness and upkeep of the premises.
