DAVAO CITY –Davao City and organizers of the Alveo Ironman 70.3 are all set for the hosting of the world triathlon competition on Sunday.
From traffic arrangement to security measures, the local governments of Davao City, Panabo, Carmen, and Tagum in Davao del Norte, police and security forces are all bracing for the international event to ensure spectators and triathlon participants are safe and secure.
“Everything is set,” said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in a press briefing at the Azuela Cove in Lanang, here on Friday.
The mayor, who will be present at the gunstart and warding ceremony, admitted she has been waiting for this opportunity since 2012 when she expressed interest that the organizers bring Ironman to Davao.
Duterte-Carpio said she has mixed feelings but very happy and excited for the next three days.
She welcomed the participants to the city and thanked them for not hesitating to come to Davao despite the martial law.
“I hope you will experience Davao the best way possible,” she told participants and guests.
Duterte-Carpio also thanked city officials and the people of Panabo, Carmen and Tagum for embracing all the guests.
Wilfred Steven Uytengsu of Sunrise Events, Inc. said there are 1,800 who registered for the Alveo Ironman 70.3 including foreign triathletes from 39 countries.
He said it is the first time for Davao and Mindanao. Ironman is also celebrating its 10th year anniversary.
“We will be expecting heat and rain. But we ensure participants will be kept hydrated,” he said.
Security
The Police Regional Office (PRO) XI implemented the soft deployment of 5,000 police and security forces from the three cities and municipality. This also included force multipliers, maritime police and coast guard.
PRO 11 spokesperson Milgrace Driz said the public is reminded of the security measures to be implemented during the event. They are discouraged to bring pets, backpacks, deadly weapons and firearms, canisters that are not transparent and cross highways – the route of the run and bike stages of the event, to avoid accidents.
Driz said the AFP is in-charge of the internal security operations and anti-terrorism with the active support from the covert, plain clothes personnel and tactical units from the PRO 11.
“We pattern this with our PNP Major Event Security Framework of whole government approach thru the Inter Agency coordinating series of conferences to Monitor closely the event at the PSSCC (Public Safety and Security Coordinating Center),” Driz said.
Driz called on the people to cooperate with the “Do's and Don'ts” set by the police, organizers and the LGUs.
Driz also announced that police personnel will conduct chokepoints and checkpoints, Oplan Sita and Operation Kapkap during event to pre-empt criminalities or untoward incidents.
Traffic
The traffic teams from three LGUs have already disseminated traffic information, flyers on alternate routes during the 120-hour road closures from the junction of Azuela Cove in Lanang, Davao City and Robinsons in Tagum City.
Since the big day also falls on the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), exam takers from Tagum, Carmen, and Panabo will be provide with buses to ferry them to venue on Sunday.
The City Information Office said the city government commissioned four Metro Shuttle buses for the use of the LET takers traveling to Davao City.
LET takers are advised to be at the stations on or before 3 a.m. Two buses will be stationed at the Jollibee Crossing in Tagum City, one in Carmen - across the Municipal Hall - and another bus in Panabo City, to be stationed in front of the overpass near the Panabo Public Market.
During the road closure, no vehicle may cross the affected roads. All pedestrians may cross only through available pedestrian overpasses. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
