Southbound public utility vehicles will have to take the Napsan-Simpocan alternate road on Sunday, November 13, as the Ironman 70.3 begins.
City Traffic Management Office (CTMO) chief Allan Mabella said that road clearing will start at 4 a.m. before the actual road closure at 6 a.m., which is the start of the triathlon event with around 1,300 participating athletes.
Mabella said they have conducted meetings and coordinated with the southern municipalities on the alternative road.
Those coming from the southern municipalities and going to Puerto Princesa City will have to use the Napsan-Simpocan Road to Tagkawayan and will exit to Barangay Bacungan National Highway to enter the city terminal.
“Naadvice na po namin ang mga biyaheng south at kung kayo ay bibiyahe o may flights sa November 13 ay inaadvice na natin na bumiyahe na kayo day before para makapasok na kayo sa Puerto Princesa City kasi kung sa mismong sa araw ng Ironman ay liliko na sila dito sa may kanto ng Napsan-Montible,” Mabella said.
“Diyan na ang simula ng rerouting at road closure, iikot ‘yan sa Napsan-Simpocan papunta sa Tagkawayan Beach at lalabas sa Bacungan, pagdating sa North highway ay makakapasok na sila dito sa terminal. Siguro mga one and half month ago na nang mainform namin sila na ganito ang ruta,” he added.
The road opening will be on the same day at 6 p.m.
Mabella also advised the public to cooperate in a one-day event by following traffic rules.
“Mag start tayo ng clearing at 4 a.m., kasi baka may mag-iwan ng mga sasakyan sa kalsada, doon nagpark, kaya posible ‘yan na mahakot. Yan pong dalawang oras before ang race ay unti-unti na namin isasara ang kalsada hanggang sa maclear ito, ang sinasabi natin na 6am ay ‘yon na ang total road closure at wala na tayong makikita na sasakyan na dumadaan,” Mabella said.
He also said that there will be marshals and city traffic personnel along the road to assist the motorists.
For those who want to watch the event, there will be a parking plan prepared for systematic traffic flow, including the road along Holy Trinity University (HTU), and Malvar Road.
“Mayroon tayong parking plan na ginawa para sa baywalk, kung papasok tayo para manood ay i-expect na natin na hindi na tayo papapasukin sa kanto ng Roxas maari natin ipark sa HTU, PPA at malvar. Ang papayagan na makapasok ay ang working committee at ang kasama doon sa mga marshals,” he said.
Mabella added that they will open the roads as soon as possible.