CEBU CITY – More than 3,000 security personnel were deployed to secure the much-awaited Sinulog Festival and Fiesta Señor on Jan. 20.
SECURITY personnel deployed for the upcoming Fiesta Señor and Sinulog Festival attend the send-off ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at the Cebu City Sports Center. (Photo from PRO-7)
Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia on Wednesday, Jan. 8, spearheaded the send-off ceremony for the 3,031 security personnel tasked to ensure the orderly and peaceful conduct of one of the country’s grandest festivals.
“Your role now is protectors of the people, protectors of Cebu City, a critical role that we play to ensure that all of those who will participate in Sinulog celebration will feel secure and happy,” Garcia said after the ceremony at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The security force is composed of 1,028 personnel from the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, 130 from the Bureau of Fire Protection, 200 from the Philippine Navy, 100 from the Philippine Air Force, 50 from the Philippine Coast Guard, 20 from the Department of Health, and 100 from the Office of the Civil Defense and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Augmenting them are 620 barangay tanods, 150 personnel of Barangay Peace Action Team, 100 members of Task Force Kasaligan, and 50 personnel from the Cebu City Transportation Office.
A Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Danilo Cardio from the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño was held before the send-off.
Garcia reminded security personnel to avoid being complacent as this year’s Sinulog is expected to draw a larger crowd compared to previous years.
“I'm expecting an overflow of people because everybody is just too excited to be here for the Sinulog festival most especially that we brought it back to its original venue,” said Garcia.
The festival was held at South Road Properties for the past two years before Garcia, who replaced dismissed Mayor Michael Rama, decided to bring it back to its traditional venue.
This year’s Sinulog will be participated by 42 contingents, the most in the history of the festival.
Police Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, deputy city director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office, assured that they are 100 percent ready for the event.
Macatangay said the CCPO actually recommended the enforcement of signal jamming during the festival but Garcia turned it down.
Garcia signed an executive order banning street parties during the festival. The EO prohibits the sale, distribution, and consumption of intoxicating beverages on the processional route between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Jan. 18 and within a 300-meter radius on both sides of the Sinulog Parade Route between 12:01 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Jan. 19.