CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City's multi-sectoral convergence group agreed yesterday to recommend to Mayor Michael Rama banning street parties and liquor consumption along both old and new grade parade routes come Sinulog 2023.
This means that street parties and alcohol intake may not be allowed at the grand parade route at the South Road Properties (SRP), as well as the traditional carousel route in the streets of downtown and midtown Cebu City.
The recommendation was based on the occurrence of untoward incidents in the past, which were caused by rowdy, drunk crowds
“Crowds flock together to drink and party, which becomes uncontrollable. We don’t want the worst to happen also… That is why it is also important to prohibit them (street parties) as well,” said Raquel Arce, head of the Cebu City Traffic Office.
The group acknowledged that it is the City Government’s responsibility to ensure public safety in all areas of the city, even if the major activities are at the South Road Properties.
The group also suggested a ban on backpacks and pyrotechnics, as well as pushed for the stringent implementation of the laws on firearms, drug substances, and littering.
The mayor’s executive secretary, lawyer Collin Rosell, said he will submit the group’s recommendations to the mayor for the crafting of an appropriate executive order.
Meanwhile, the stage for the Sinulog grand showdown at the South Road Properties is now done, but bleachers and other structures are nowhere in sight yet with less than two weeks to go to the festival's comeback.
Even with that, however, Sinulog Foundation’s Executive Director Jojo Labella said 60% of the infrastructure has already been completed.
“For infra, the stage at the SRP is already finished…and it’s visible already, except for the way for the contingents,” said Labella.
The bleachers, with 6,000-seat capacity, are currently being constructed with some modifications of the original design, according to Labella.
Air-conditioned tents will also be put up for the VIPs and the media. There will also be a holding area plus towers for billboards and restrooms for the spectators.
Tents by participating resorts, hotels, companies and groups are also expected to be put up at SRP soon for the World Tent City concept showcasing their products and services to the spectators of the Sinulog.
The tube for the entrance and exit and fencing around the venue is also in place already according to Labella as well as the tickets, although the prices are still being finalized.
Likewise, a separate stage is being put up at the Cebu City Sports Center for the Sinulog sa Kabataan open battle on January 8.
Aside from the Sinulog Kabataan itself, the stage at the CCSC, according to Labella, will also be used for the launching of the festival, Festival Queen, and the awarding ceremonies.
City health officer Dr. Daisy Villa assured that the City Health Department will check the potability of water in various schools in the city, especially in those where participating contingents would be staying.
Representatives from the healthcare sector also said that hospitals within the city would be on “Code White Alert” during the Sinulog activities.
Code white refers to the readiness of a hospital’s manpower for immediate mobilization during possible emergencies.
Contingents
In a related development, at least six local government units in Cebu Province will be joining the Sinulog sa Kabataan tihis year.
Aside from the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, the component cities of Talisay, Carcar and Toledo will also be joining.
In an interview over radio station dyLA, Labella said there are 19 contingents joining the event this weekend, 13 of them from Cebu City and six from the Province.
The merged Sinulog sa Kabataan is scheduled this January 8 at the Cebu City Sports Center.
But during the grand parade, 22 contingents will be competing on January 15, which will be held at the South Road Properties.
Security
Also, at least 1,791 personnel from different law enforcement agencies will be deployed to ensure security for the entire Sinulog activities, police said.
Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Col. Ireneo Dalogdog said on Monday, January 2, the figure comprises personnel from the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), Philippine National Police (PNP), and 21 groups of force multipliers.
For the police part, Dalogdog said CCPO would also request augmentation personnel from the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) and the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO).
Although the final figures have yet to be finalized, the CCPO chief said these personnel would be subdivided accordingly to cover all the Sinulog activities.
Sinulog events will officially start January 5 with the Penitential Walk with Jesus, followed by a Sinulog Kick-off (January 6-12), Penitential Walk with Mary (January 13), and Fluvial Procession, Reenactment of Queen Juana & Rajah Humabon's Baptism, and Solemn Procession at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño (January 14).
The Fiesta Señor Day will be on January 15, Sinulog 2023 Awarding Ceremonies on January 16, and the traditional "Hubo" ceremony at the Sto. Niño Church on January 20.
Dalogdog said the police personnel would be deployed as early as January 4 for a skeletal deployment, during which a send-off mass will also be held at the CCSC.
He said they were instructed by Police Brigadier General Jerry Fornaleza Bearis, the Police Regional Office Central Visayas (PRO-7) director, to secure and identify the priority areas that need security augmentation.
Meanwhile, the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) said they would also assign 600 out of its around 2,000 police officers to Sinulog.
Lt. Col. Mark Gifter Sucalit, deputy director for operations of the CPPO, said these personnel would be deployed starting on January 4 for the send-off mass.
As the entire police force is expecting a huge crowd during the Sinulog, Sucalit said they also anticipated an increase in foreign tourists, which they expect would also visit some tourist sites in the Cebu Province.
He stated they had already identified 50 areas in the province that they would prioritize for security augmentation, including adding personnel to their tourist police units.
Sucalit added that they would also deploy security within different ports in Cebu province. — Robhe Jane C. Yara, Le Phyllis F. Antojado