City OKs mall concert, three requests pending

CEBU, Philippines — Only one out of the four applicants got the go signal to hold a concert outside the 300-meter radius of the Sinulog Grand Parade route in Cebu City, said Councilor David Tumulak, who is designated as deputy mayor for police matters and chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. Executive Committee.

“Naay na-approve nga event sa isa ka mall kay complete na og documents like the security plan. Ang three ka applications kay ato pang gi-evaluate kon i-approve ba or not,” he told reporters.

Tumulak said the three other applications are still being reviewed by the concerned offices.

Tumulak said Mayor Tomas Osmeña has issued Executive Order No. 30, an order regulating business establishments and vendors during Sinulog Festival 2018.

Aside from the entertainment ban within the 300-meter radius of the Sinulog Parade and Procession route on January 19 to 21, the city will issue special permits for company owners to hold events outside the route.

In the EO, those owners of establishments outside the 300-meter radius will be allowed to hold events if they have secured special permits bearing the recommendation and endorsement of Cebu City Transportation Office,  Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, office of Tumulak, and the approval of the mayor.

Organizers of these events should submit security plan and an undertaking to provide a fully-staffed medical triage that will function for the duration of the event and four hours after.

Tumulak said one of the three pending applications that is being evaluated is an event at the South Road Properties.

“There is an objection from the traffic division because SRP is the only alternate route for the south-bound devotees of the Holy Child who wish to attend the Sinulog activities,” he said.

Tumulak said the other three applications are to hold concerts and other events, but documents are still being scrutinized by several offices before it gets to be approved.

He added Barangay Lorega-San Miguel’s request to hold a disco was denied because it is within the 300-meter radius.

Tumulak reminded the public that there will be a liquor ban within the 300-meter radius of the Sinulog Grand Parade route from 6 a.m. of January 21 to 6 a.m. on January 22.

The liquor ban also applies in Escario Street where several business establishments from the Provincial Capitol Building up to the intersection of Gorordo Avenue since that road serves as a “crucial alternative route for vehicles during Sinulog.” (FREEMAN)