DAVAO CITY — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio urged Dabawenyos and visitors to plan ahead their activities for March 25 as there will be a maximum 12-hour road closure for the Alvero Ironman 70.3 triathlon.
Duterte said there would be major road closures for the whole stretch of J.P. Laurel starting Azuela Cove in Lanang passing through Panabo City to Tagum City, Davao del Norte from 3:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during the conduct of the international triathlon event.
March 25 is also the schedule of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in the city and examinees from the provinces of Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte are expected to converge here.
The day also falls on Palm Sunday where about five churches along the highway are located.
“Starting this time, we give public advisories on what roads are to be closed and the time duration of the closure,” she said
The mayor said these roads were already requested to be closed starting 3 a.m. up to 12 noon of Sunday for the Bike and Run challenge of the triathlon event.
“I also advise (Dabawenyos) to plan their day before the road closure and after the road closure,” she said.
Duterte-Carpio is also expecting that those who would converge in the event are those cheering for the athletes.
“Because it’s a Sunday, there are no classes anymore and also the start of the Holy Week,” she said.
Earlier, City Traffic and Transport Management Office head Dionisio Abude bared the northbound Lane going towards Tagum City will be closed from 3 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. while the southbound lane going towards Davao City will be closed from 3 a.m. up to 10:30 a.m.
Northbound lane in J.P Laurel Avenue corner F. Torres Street, going to Lanang corner R. Castillo Street will also be closed from 3 a.m. up to 3:30 p.m.
Southbound lane going to the downtown area of Davao City will be used for two-way traffic, but only up to the Azuela Cove area. (Armando Fenequito, Jr./PNA)