Withdraw cash from ATM in advance

The Bankers Club Association urged the public to withdraw money in advance, or ahead of the Sinulog grand parade, as automated teller machines will not be functional.

This is aside from telecommunication companies shutting down their cell sites in compliance with the "no signal" directive of the National Telecommunications Commission.

In a press conference yesterday, Cebu City Councilor Davide Tumulak said a representative of the Bankers Club Association informed him that at least 120 ATMs in Cebu City would not be operational during the Sinulog as a result of the loss of cellular signal.

"Atong gipahibawo ang atong depositors sa pag-withdraw na daan kay sa higayon nga mapatuman ang pagputol sa linya sa mga wireless cellphone, dili ma problema," he told reporters.

Tumulak said he was informed that these ATM units are wireless-connected, which is why they are among those that would be affected by the absence of cell phone signals.

"Separate ni sila sa land connection. Part pod na sa security sa mga banko nga separate ang land connection nga wired connection.

They would rather advice the public to withdraw as early as now," he said.

Tumulak said he has no final data yet if wireless-connected ATMs in neighboring cities and municipalities would also be affected.

He said there is a suggestion for the shutting down of all cell sites, not only near the Sinulog Grand Parade route.

"Wala ta kahibawo sa neighboring machines. Basi'g ma-affected pod ang sa Talisay and Mandaue and Lapulapu. But not all areas lang, some areas of the neighboring cities ang affected," he said.