PLDT offers WiFi along parade route

CEBU, Philippines - Several people may defy the advice of the police officials not to bring expensive communication gadgets and other belongings while watching the Sinulog grand parade on Sunday because the Philippine Long Distance Telephone will provide free WiFi connectivity in some areas of the carousel route.

“Mag-ingat lang,” said Cebu City police director Melvin Ramon Buenafe to those who plan to bring their iPods, laptops and other gadgets and equipment to the grand parade to avail of the free WiFi connections.

PLDT-Cebu operations head Bong Lintag said starting tomorrow PLDT WiFi Zones may be accessed in some areas of the carousel route like in Gen. Maxilom Ave., Fuente Osmeña, Osmeña Blvd., P. Del Rosario St., the vicinity of City Hall and Cebu Provincial Capitol and Plaza Independencia.

Lintag said to avail of free WiFi during the Sinulog duration, PLDT subscribers are advised to register with their website while those who are not PLDT subscribers may just approach their personnel manning their booths along the carousel route to get the PIN Code.

Only 5,000 Internet users can be allowed to avail of the free WiFi service so it will not affect Internet speed.

Buenafe is also hoping that the installation of security cameras along the grand parade route will discourage criminal elements as with what happened last All Saints’ and All Souls’ days.

“Malaking deterrent factor ang pag-install natin ng mga security cameras, but those who bring their expensive communication gadgets and other valuables should be careful,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Devotee City at the Campagna Maritima will start accepting some 3,000 Santo Niño devotees from other parts of Cebu and across the country on Friday.

The courier company 2GO provided 110 container vans now set up in the area which can accommodate 30 people per van. Of the 110 container vans, 100 vans will be for devotees while the other 10 vans will be allocated for the city street dwellers.

The Devotee City will also have WiFi connectivity courtesy of PLDT and will be live streamed over the city government’s official website www.cebucity.gov.ph.

Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias, chairman of the devotee city committee, said devotees from beyond Carcar City in the South and Danao City in the North and those from Luzon and Mindanao are welcome to avail of free lodging with basic commodities.

The area is complete with portable toilets, water supply, electricity, showers, kitchens, a dining area and playground for children.

Cabarrubias said that they can also accept tourists who cannot afford a hotel or those who were not able to make reservations.

Cabarrubias said the city also intentionally allocated 10 vans for street dwellers to clear the streets of people who sleep along the sidewalks.

Noel Artes, Squatters Prevention and Encroachment Elimination Division said they will start rescuing street dwellers to be brought to the temporary shelter on Wednesday until Friday.

Cabarrubias clarified that no free food will be provided to the devotees but they will be provided free use of water and electricity.

Some companies also give out free food like bread but they give voluntarily, he said.

To register, devotees only have to present an ID and bus or ferry ticket. Registration is first come-first served basis.

Bladed weapons such as ice picks, knives and bolos and firearms and other explosive devices are prohibited. Devotees are also prohibited from bringing alcohol inside. Gambling and using drugs are also strictly prohibited.

A security camera will monitor the activities in the area.

Cabarrubias said that the city allocated P950,000 for the devotee city this year from P600,000 last year. He said that they had to spend more because the hauling fee per van increased from P750 to P1,500 this year.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said Vice President Jejomar Binay said he will come for the Sinulog grand parade if no circumstances prevent him from attending. – (FREEMAN)