CEBU CITY – Four persons were rescued when the motor banca they were riding in sank during the fluvial procession for the 459th Fiesta Señor here on Saturday, January 20.
THE image of Señor Santo Niño is unloaded from the galleon docked at Pier 1 in Cebu City after the Fiesta Señor fluvial procession on Saturday, January 20. (Calvin D. Cordova)
Despite the minor mishap, the holding of the seaborne parade was very successful and generally peaceful, according to Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7).
Aberin said at least 200,000 people joined or witnessed the procession of the images of Señor Santo Niño, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Saint Joseph the Laborer.
“The fluvial procession was successful and peaceful. We have not received reports of any incident that might have affected the celebration,” Aberin said.
Aberin said the PRO-7 deployed enough personnel to secure the event.
He added that on the day of the procession, the PRO-7 added at least 100 intelligence personnel to further ensure the success of the religious activity.
The images of Sagrada Familia or Holy Family were carried by M/V Martin 8.
Coast Guard Commander Mark Larsen Mariano, deputy commander of the Coast Guard District-Central Visayas, said there were 247 vessels that registered to join the fluvial procession.
But during the actual procession, the number of vessels reached 350 to 400 after some unregistered vessels decided to join.
“There were 69 floating vessels used as marshals compared to last year’s 33 vessels. The activity went orderly and successful as we brought it near the devotees on the piers and wharves,” said Mariano.
Mariano confirmed that a motor banca submerged after it sustained a hole while joining the procession. The passengers were immediately rescued.
The galleon carrying the religious images sailed off from the Captain Veloso Pier of the Naval Forces Central in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu at 6 a.m.
The galleon traversed the Mactan Channel, went straight to the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, and docked at Pier 1 in this city around 7:40 a.m.
The Mactan Channel was closed to vessel traffic about three hours before the procession started and was opened about an hour after the procession.
“We can attribute the successful celebration to the cooperation of every member of the community,” said Aberin.
Aberin commended the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, and volunteer groups for assisting the police in securing the activity. “We have so many volunteer groups. We have so many student volunteers. They were on the streets to help keep the peace and we appreciate it,” said Aberin.
Aberin assured that security measures are all set for the Sinulog Festival on Sunday, January 21.
Fr. Ion Miranda of Basilica Minore del Santo Niño also thanked the various law enforcement agencies for the success of the procession. “The galleon arrived on time. The crowd was more than what we expected but we prepared for a huge crowd. We did not encounter major difficulties,” said Miranda.
After the fluvial procession, the images were brought to the Basilica del Minore Niño Niño where thousands of devotees attended a Mass. Another foot procession was held in the afternoon where thousands of devotees also participated.