
CEBU CITY – Security preparations for the month-long celebration of the 458th Fiesta Señor festival went full blast after over 2,000 uniformed and non-uniformed personnel were deployed here on Wednesday, Jan. 4.
A Mass followed by the send-off ceremony for the 2,054 security personnel was held at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
The Task Force Fiesta Señor, composed of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7), Cebu City government, and Augustinian friars from the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, led the sendoff ceremony.
The security force is composed of personnel from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the city Emergency Medical Services.
The Fiesta Señor celebration will begin on Thursday, Jan. 5, with the holding of “Walk with Jesus” foot procession. The 2023 Sinulog Festival, on the other hand, will be officially launched on Jan. 6 at the CCSC.
Daily activities have been scheduled in various places here leading to the Sinulog Festival on Jan. 15.
Brig. Gen. Jerry Bearis, chief of PRO-7, assured that the police will help ensure a peaceful and orderly Sinulog which will return to its pre-pandemic celebration.
Col. Ireneo Dalogdog, chief of the Cebu City Police Office, said the PRO-7 chief has recommended a signal shutdown especially during the Grand Parade on Jan. 15 to the National Telecommunications Office. This year’s main venue for the Sinulog Festival is the South Road Properties.
Dalogog said the request was made during a security meeting last Tuesday, Jan. 3. The CCPO chief said the NTC has yet to act on the request.