27 barangays affected in cell site shutdown

CEBU, Philippines - In keeping with the plan to secure areas by shutting down cell sites, the following areas will be affected by cellphone signal interruption during the major Sinulog celebration events, according the Police Regional Office-7.

During the Solemn Procession barangays Sto. Niño, San Roque, Tinago, T. Padilla, Tejero, San Miguel, Carreta, Lorega, Zapatera, Sambag 1, Sambag 2, Sta. Cruz, Cogon-Ramos, San Antonio, Kamagayan, Kalubihan, Parian, Kamputhaw, Hipodromo, and Capitol Site will be affected.

During the Fluvial Procession parts of barangays Sto. Niño and San Roque in Cebu City; Parts of barangays Looc and Centro in Mandaue City; and parts of barangays Poblacion and Pajo in Lapu-Lapu City will be affected.

During the Sinulog Grand Parade barangays Sto. Niño, San Roque, T. Padilla, Tejero, San Miguel, Carreta, Lorega, Zapatera, Sambag 1, Sambag 2, Sta. Cruz, Day-as, Cogon-Ramos, San Antonio, Kamagayan, San Nicolas, Kalubihan, Parian, Kamputhaw, Hipodromo, and Capitol Site will be affected.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has also declared a three nautical mile-radius from the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño as a no-fly zone for unmanned drones.

Cebu City officials have expressed differing stands about the shutting down of cellphone signals in certain areas of the city today and tomorrow.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña was in favor of the move, convinced that it is crucial in securing the public during the Sinulog.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience but there is a real risk. The Hilongos (Leyte) terror bombing involved two bombs. The bigger one did not explode," he said. 

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, on the other, was not categorical with his opposition, but said he has some questions about the move.

"They are not capable of securing the area (Sinulog Grand Parade route) when this communication is still on? Are we conceding that we are helpless?" he said.

Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover Jr., a Team Rama ally and a vocal critic of the mayor, said he believes in the power of prayer in preventing any untoward incident

"Ako I believe more on the power of prayer. Prayer is more powerful than bombs so I believe in God. If we believe in the power of the Sto. Niño, wa'y shut off, di ba? Akoa lang na ha.  Hugot man akong pagtuo sa ginoo," he told reporters yesterday.

He and Labella were present in yesterday's press conference of defeated Team Rama mayoral candidate and former mayor Michael Rama.

Rama, on the other hand, said he was "shocked" that upon his return from the US, this is the measure adopted for the Sinulog.

"My stand: I'm shocked that there's such a thing as shutting down the signal," he said.

He, however, declined to comment when asked on what he think is the downside of the move, saying he did not want to be misunderstood by the public.

He, however, vowed he would talk about the matter together with other Team Rama members after the Sinulog.

Meanwhile, Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the City Council committee on public order and safety, asked locals and tourists to understand that what they are doing is for their own security.

He earlier said that the public should plan ahead where they are going to meet up with friends and family members, among others, so it would be easier for them to find each other despite the lack of phone signal.

Last Thursday, the National Telecommunications Commission approved the shutting down of cell sites near the routes of the solemn procession, fluvial procession, and the Sinulog grand parade.

It was the Police Regional Office-7 that made the request for the temporary shutdown of cellphone sites to help ensure security during the Sinulog activities. (FREEMAN)