THE Talisay City government are tapping all of its resources, including police personnel, to ensure that that the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines next month—which will pass by Talisay—will be safe.

Talisay City councilor Danilo Caballero said he is coordinating with local police and concerned barangays to help secure the route for Cebu’s biggest triathlon event this year.

Caballero, who is also the newly appointed chairman of the Talisay City Sports Commission, told Sun.Star Cebu that after a triathlete died during last year’s inaugural race, he is also urging the Talisay Rescue and Emergency Assistance Team (Treat) to take extra precaution in watching out for the participants.

Caballero said they will make sure that the rescue will immediately respond to any untoward incident.

Last year, a participant, Ramon Igana Jr. succumbed to acute pulmonary embolism and was the only casualty of the race.

He was biking along Barangay Cansojong when he suddenly collapsed.

The organizers of the race, along with the sports commissions of LGUs involved in the race as far as Cebu province is concerned, will be conducting a dry run today to check what problems could be encountered during the actual race on Aug. 4 and so that they will be prepared for a solution to any possible problem that will be encountered.

He is also coordinating with the barangay chiefs of Lawaan 1, San Isidro, Pooc, Dumlog, Poblacion, San Roque and Cansojong in deploying their tanods to help policemen secure the event.

Supt. Resty Santos, acting Talisay City police chief, said the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) might deploy additional policemen in the city in securing the route.

Talisay City’s police force currently has 50 policemen. Additional troops will be needed since aside from securing the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR), they will also need to secure the N. Bacalso National Highway.

With the closure of the CSCR imminent due to the activity, officials of the City of Talisay Traffic Operations and Development Authority (CT-TODA) might enforce a temporary re-routing scheme just for that day.

Talisay City Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, CT-TODA’s acting chair, said that despite the shortage of traffic enforcers, they will plan to maximize their resources to ensure that traffic remains normal during the event.
Getting Ironman-ready | Sun.Star