Cops ready for Sinulog
In time for today’s formal opening of the Fiesta Señor, nearly 500 police personnel have been deployed to ensure a strict security that is reminiscent of the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016 and the ASEAN meetings last year.
Of the 5,000 policemen who will be mobilized during the Sinulog and fiesta activities, some 471 security personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Special Weapons and Tactics team, and Cebu City Emergency Preparedness Response Team were initially sent off in a ceremony held at the Fuente Osmeña Circle yesterday afternoon.
In his sendoff speech, Chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino, Police Regional Office-7 director, reminded them of their main goal: zero incidents.
The cops received reflective vests and raincoats to ensure they are ready for the job, rain or shine.
While President Duterte already signified skipping the festivities for a prior commitment, Espino said all security and safety plans are in place, nevertheless.
He said police will remain on guard all throughout the revelry and adopt a security framework similar to what was applied during the IEC and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings.
Three sub-task groups have been activated: security, peace and order, emergency and response. They are responsible for keeping watch of the events what will unfold starting today, when the local church formally opens the Fiesta Señor, up to the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 21.
Espino added that those taking part in the festivities should expect this year’s celebration to be different given the stricter implementation of Cebu City’s ordinances.
WALK WITH JESUS
At the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, yellow and red buntings cover the skyline above the pilgrim center. Better sound systems are hung around the church complex and flowers of different shades adorn the altar.
The opening salvo today, or the first day of the nine-day novena, is traditionally marked with the Walk with Jesus, in which devotees accompany the image of the Santo Niño that represents the Child Jesus as a way of expressing penance.
The walk starts from Fuente Osmeña and ends at the basilica.
Father Ric Anthony Reyes of the Order of St. Augustine (OSA), the Fiesta Señor 2018 secretary, said religious activities, particularly the foot procession, are meant to uplift the spirituality of the faithful.
He said these processions are means to express one’s devotion to the Lord that a person, through praying and sacrificing in the penitential walk, “reflects on his or her faith.”
“This dawn procession is part of the awakening of our devotedness to Jesus… we link life to devotion and we link our devotion to our faith. This is an occasion where people enrich their spiritual nourishment,” he told The FREEMAN.
Through prayers and reflections, Fr. Reyes hopes that the solemn and prayerful walk can instill in those participating the virtues of humility and simplicity or the childlike character. This as the Augustinian fathers have observed that people are only busy taking photos and selfies while joining the walk.
They reminded the faithful to instead bring rosaries with them to pray or carry with them candles or their own Santo Niño statues.
The assembly for the Walk with Jesus is scheduled before 4 a.m. today.
The first Holy Mass is to be presided over by Fr. Pacifico Nohara Jr., the rector of the basilica. During the Mass, new Hermano and Hermana Mayores – Rosalina and Mark Go (mother and son) – will be installed.
Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has deployed 273 police personnel divided into four sectors to secure the Walk with Jesus, according to Chief Inspector Jacinto Mandal, the assigned ground commander for the event.
Mandal advised devotees to keep a close watch on their valuables and discouraged them from leaving their houses unmanned to prevent lawless elements from taking advantage of the situation.
He also encouraged devotees to bring umbrellas with them in case it would rain.
“Nakita nato nga nagkausab-usab ang weather condition. Magdala ta og personal protection, mga kapote, payong nga dili pointed ang tumoy, kay basin makaigo sad ka og laing devotees,” Mandal said.
TRAFFIC SITUATION
Meanwhile, heavy traffic is expected in Cebu City downtown area tomorrow, Friday, as the Cebu City government and the Sinulog Foundation Inc. kick off Sinulog 2018 activities.
In particular, road congestions are seen on Osmeña Boulevard, P. del Rosario Street, Colon Street, and Sanciangco Street for the launching parade, which will begin 2 p.m. from the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, going to R.R. Landon Street all the way to the Cebu City Sports Center.
Cebu City Transportation Office Operations chief Francisco Ouano said there will be no road closures for the parade but some jeepneys will be rerouted.
“Wala gyod ta’y total nga road closure. Ang atong buhaton sa Friday magopen, close, open and close lang ta sa mga affected roads para dili kaayo maka-affect sa mga commuters,” he told reporters.
Those affected by the rerouting are jeepneys plying Talamban, Pardo, Labangon, Basak, Inayawan, Basak, Pardo, Labangon, and Urgello, among others.
Ouano said 30 traffic enforcers will be deployed along the parade route to assist the motorists.
SFI Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros said the original route of the parade, which includes Fuente Osmeña, will not be followed this time to avoid inconveniencing commuters.
Representatives from 13 schools in Cebu City will participate in the parade, along with their drum and bugle corps. Although there won’t be pyrotechnics and fireworks display, Ballesteros hinted of a surprise number at the end of the program.
SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC
On January 20 and 21, light vehicles will be permitted to use a southbound lane of N. Bacalso Avenue, where an underpass is presently constructed.
Yesterday, Department of Public Works and Highways-7 heeded the request of Mayor Tomas Osmeña to open one lane to the south to help minimize bottlenecks because of the Sinulog crowd.
“Yes (allow), amoang position before sa DPWH dili mi mo-allow. Karon, ang mayor man ang ni-request and considering two days ra sad, dili ta kabalibad sa mayor,” DPWH-7 project engineer Roy Dela Cruz told The FREEMAN.
The southbound lane may probably open dawn of January 20, he said.