Kalibo Ati Festival Traffic/Security Deployment Set

by PO1 Nida L. Gregas

Everything is set for the 797th Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival this January 12–18. Thousands of devotees and tourists will crowd the streets for merrymaking and spiritual dancing in honor of Sto. Niño de Kalibo.

Senior Supt. Clarence Guinto, Aklan police director said there are 859 security personnel from the Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to secure Aklan.

"There will be rerouting of traffic for vehicles and motorists bound to Caticlan and Iloilo. Some nine community police assis-tance centers with medical teams to provide assis-tance to devotees are established.

Three bomb-sniffing K-9 dogs from Caticlan, Malay, Aklan are deployed to ensure the safety of tourists and visitors in the hotels.

Guinto also organized task groups on intelligence, billeting, crowd control, crisis, traffic, and airport and seaport security to guarantee safe and peaceful celebration of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival.

Three checkpoints at entry points of Kalibo are set up by joint elements of the Philippine Army and PNP.

Last Saturday, Guinto led the simulation exercise to check their readiness in the implementation of the traffic and security plans for the festival.

SPO2 Benny Jones Mendoza, traffic section chief, also advised cargo trucks and roll-on roll-off vehicles to take alternate routes like N. Roldan, Calachuchi Road, Roxas Avenue Extension and Toting Reyes Street to avoid heavy traffic during the annual religious procession by participating tribal and modern groups.

"The motorists, drivers, and other heavy vehicles are advised to pass the designated optional routes. They must cooperate with the authorities for their convenience and safety," he added.

The Ati-atihan contest will unfold on January 17 at the streets of Desposorio Maagma, Mabini and Roxas Avenue.

Some highlights of the world-renowned festival are the Higante Parade and Aklan Festivals showdown, Sadsad Panaad, Barter of Panay re-enactment, Ati-Atihan products showcase, fireworks display, Kaean-an sa Plaza, and the Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan Coronation Pageant.

The Parish of Saint John the Baptist Cathedral conducts religious activities such as the nine-day novena (January 9-17), "pahilot" or "paeapak" (January 14 to 18), dawn penitential procession and blessing of children (January 17), transfer of Sto. Niño de Kalibo to Kalibo Pastrana Park, a pilgrim mass, and the religious procession on January 18.

Streets near the Kalibo Pastrana Park and Saint John the Baptist Cathedral will be closed to vehicular traffic in anticipation for thousands of merrymakers and devotees during the concelebrated pilgrims’ mass on January 18. /MP