City to ban parties along Sinulog route

Holding parties within the 300-meter radius along the Sinulog Grand Parade route in Cebu City will be banned to ensure a “smooth and orderly” festival next year.

The Cebu City Council approved yesterday a resolution urging establishment owners along the parade route not to hold parties from 6 a.m. of January 19, 2019 until 6 a.m. of January 21.

“To make the festivity more meaningful, lively, and dynamic, and for a smooth and orderly celebration of the event, there should be no other entertainment that should be held in the premises of the Sinulog route,” read a portion of the resolution.

Councilor David Tumulak, overall chairperson of Sinulog 2019, authored several resolutions concerning the Sinulog preparations.

Should there be no changes, the Sinulog grand parade will start from Imus Road to Gen. Maxilom Avenue, to Fuente Osmeña, down to Osmeña Boulevard and then to the Cebu City Sports Center where the ritual showdown will be held at the grandstand.

Aside from the entertainment ban along the Sinulog route, putting up loud speakers and other sound devices is also prohibited. Tumulak said the measure is a reiteration of this year's executive order of Mayor Tomas Osmeña banning entertainment along the parade route.

He also requested all event organizers to submit their event proposals together with the safety and security plan to the Cebu City Risk Reduction Management Office on or before December 14.

The Council also approved a resolution encouraging all establishments near the parade route to open their comfort rooms for a minimal fee during the Grand Parade on January 20 for the convenience of the spectators.

The City Council also approved Tumulak's resolution requesting the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor and the Office of the City Markets to come up with policies and guidelines on street vending during the Sinulog Festival.

The DWUP and the market office were asked to print out the policies to be distributed to the vendors once they will register starting November 15 to December 14, 2018. Vendors will secure special permit from the city government and they will be asked to submit 2x2 photo for their identification card.

Those vendors that will be selling outside the designated areas will be barred from selling.

The City Council has also declared the areas within 10 meters from the perimeter fence of Basilica del Sto. Niño as “No Parking Zone.”