Cebu City awaits IATF decision on Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has requested the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases or IATF to decide on whether it would allow the holding of the Sinulog Festival.

Labella directed Vice Mayor Michael Rama to reach out to the police, regional IATF and the city’s emergency operations center (EOC) for them to determine adjustments on the conduct of the festival.

The Sinulog is held every third Sunday of January.

Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the city’s IATF and EOC chief, said they have sent their recommendations to the national IATF.

Garganera said among their suggestions are the prefilming of the performances, resetting it to a later date and changing the venue.

Rama said he hopes the festival would push through despite calls for its cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cebu City police said it would not provide security if the festival, which is expected to draw crowds, would be held without approval from the IATF.

“This entails a huge security deployment,” city police chief Col. Josefino Ligan said.

Ligan said police are prepared only for the novena masses.

Under a memorandum order issued by Labella, barangay captains are allowed to set up livestreaming of novenas to minimize crowding at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño. – Ruth Malinao/The Freeman