According to PAGASA forecast: Rainy Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines —  Metro Cebu and the rest of Cebu Province are likely to have cloudy skies with rainshowers and/or thunderstorms on January 14, the eve of the Fiesta Señor and Sinulog.

According to PAGASA’s Extended Weather Outlook, it is also expected that these areas may experience partly cloudy to at times cloudy with rainshowers and/or thunderstorms on January 15, 2023.

Temperature forecast for Jan. 14 is 25-29 degrees Celsius while for Jan. 15, it’s 24-30 degrees. Heat index for said dates is 34 and 36 degrees, respectively.

January 14 is the schedule for the fluvial procession from Cebu City to Mandaue City, then to Lapu-Lapu City, going back to Cebu City.

The Philippine Coast Guard-Central Visayas targets to finish the fluvial parade for two hours with more than 70 vessels/watercrafts participating as of January 9, 2023. The parade is slated to start at 6 a.m.

Also, still part of the fiestela celebration, there will also a reenactment of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon’s Baptism at Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño at 9 a.m. of Jan. 14.

At 2 p.m., there will be a solemn Procession starting at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, followed by a Sinulog Fireworks Display and Competition at SRP Grounds and a party at the Parks at Fuente Osmeña & Plaza Independencia.

January 15 is the Sinulog 2023 Grand Parade at SRP Grounds, among other activities.

Not New

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, meanwhile, said that closing the SRP during the Sinulog should not be a cuase for concern since it has been done during previous big events.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said earlier that the closure of SRP for the festival will cause heavy traffic that will affect at least 20 towns and cities in the south.

Rama, however, in yesterday’s press conference, said that the Natalio Bacalso Avenue can accommodate those from the south.

Rama specifically cited the staging of the Ironman 70.3 Philippines for several editions, where the SRP and the road going to Talisay and back were used. The SRP was closed to traffic back then.

Aside from the Ironman, there were also some other sporting events that required closing the SRP in the past, including marathons and car racing featuring some of the country’s best.

Rama said he was also involved in the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) at the Pedro Calungsod templete at the SRP back in 2016 which also had thousands of devotees and the area was closed to traffic.

With a template already at hand, the City’s traffic group is just making some enhancements to ease the traffic situation, said the mayor.

Rama also emphasized that except for SRP, the rest of the streets in Cebu City will be open to the public.

“Wa may labot ang  mainland. Ang tanang dan sa mainland, generally abli,” said Rama.

There will also be some special routes to modern jeepneys in five different areas for those who want to watch the Sinulog plus from one of its presenters, Angkas.

“We have the yellow route for the South part–from Anjo’s World to SRP entrance, the black route for Talamban to the ramp of the viaduct, the blue route from Parkmall,  red route from Gaisano Tabunok to Shopwise in Mambaling and the Green route but which we still have to confirm, from Marigondon to Cordova to SRP area,” said Paul Gotiong of the Cebu City Traffic Office.

There will also be a free ride in some points of the SRP going to the Sinulog venue, especially for ticket holders in Laray, Talisay, Robinsons Galleria and Colon area.

The city’s traffic management board chairman, Koko Holganza, said the SRP will be closed to traffic beginning at 1 a.m. on Sunday with only the contingents allowed.

Security

Meanwhile, Cebu City Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog  said security measures are now 90% in place.

The remaining 10% is for polishing and familiarization of the race route, finalization of areas for disaster, medical, the force multipliers along with the holding areas for violators and the installation of CCTVs.

Dalogdog, however, emphasized that everyone’s cooperation is needed here.

“Gikinahanglan namo ang inyong cooperation, magtinabangay tang tanan…Kami sa Cebu City police office, kauban ang among mga partner agencies maningkamot na mahimong peaceful and atong pagselebrar sa Pista Senyor and sa Sinulog Festival 2023,” said Dalogdog. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol, JMD (FREEMAN)