Road closures, no classes: Carmen holds Sinulog today

CEBU, Philippines — As the local government unit of Carmen, northern Cebu, gears up for its 52nd celebration of Sinulog sa Carmen today, January 26, 2025, Mayor Carlo Villamor has issued a series of executive orders regarding road closures, parking, and the suspension of classes and government work tomorrow.

In his recently issued executive order, Villamor declared the suspension of classes from elementary to college levels, including government work, tomorrow, January 27.

Since almost all participants in the Sinulog ritual showdown are students from different schools in the town, Villamor believes it is imperative to give them a day of rest.

“In light of the Sinulog sa Carmen celebration and to give participants and the Carmenhanons time to rest, it is justifiable to suspend classes at all levels of public schools and government work,” Villamor stated in his executive order.

For government offices, the mayor stated that a skeletal workforce will be enforced based on the recommendation of department heads to ensure uninterrupted basic government services, except for the Municipal Health Office and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, which are frontline offices.

As for private establishments, the suspension of work will be at the discretion of management.

Meanwhile, during today’s town celebration, which will feature street dancing and a ritual showdown of various contingents for Sinulog sa Carmen, several roads and streets will be closed to vehicles.

From 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. today, Kamuning St. in Poblacion and P. Gecain St. in Dawis Norte will be closed to traffic, converting these thoroughfares into pedestrian zones for those expected to witness the celebration.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to walk to and from the church and the grandstand.

For those bringing vehicles, the designated parking areas include the CTU Carmen campus, which is adjacent to the reclamation area and within walking distance of the grandstand.

Other designated parking areas include the Carmen Memorial Park open space and neighboring areas in Dawis Norte; the Camara property and neighboring areas in Poblacion; and the Shemberg Biotech property and neighboring areas in Cogon West.

Residents living within the affected areas who plan to travel outside Carmen today are advised to park their vehicles in barangays that are not affected by the road closures.

The entire stretch of Climaco Street will be closed to parking for all types of vehicles from 12:01 a.m. on January 26 to 12:01 a.m. on January 27, as it will serve as an alternative route for vehicles traveling from north to south and vice versa. Walking along this street is strictly prohibited to prevent accidents.

Violators will be penalized accordingly, and vehicles will be towed. Those reclaiming their towed vehicles will be required to pay a fine of P2,500. — (FREEMAN)