Team formed to record ‘no street party’ violators

To show its seriousness in restricting street parties, the Cebu City government, in cooperation with the Cebu City Police Office and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, will deploy an inspection team that will record and list the businesses violating the rules.

Those businesses that will be caught doing street parties along the Sinulog route or within the 300-meter radius from the route would be subjected to closure proceedings, said CCDRRMC head Nagiel Bañacia.

Bañacia said Mayor Tomas Osmeña instructed them to monitor the establishments that are holding street parties at or near the parade route.

"Inig Monday (the day after the Sinulog Grand Parade), we will be closing those establishments.… Dili ni paglisod ning amoa. Para nis kaayohan sa Sinulog," he told reporters yesterday.

He said the concern of Tangub City Mayor Philip Tan on rowdy crowd during the previous years is a "serious" matter that should be addressed by the city government.

Tan announced that this year would be the last performance of the Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe during the Sinulog after the group because of their bad experience.

Bañacia said the city government will also be prohibiting business establishments from setting up big sound systems along the parade route since it invites the public to have a street dance.

He said the mayor instructed them to closely monitor the different establishments in the city and clarified to them that even the holding of parties in parking lots is not allowed as long as the area is along the Sinulog route or within a 300-meter radius of the route.

The Sinulog Grand Parade starts on Imus Road to Gen. Maxilom Avenue, to Fuente Osmeña, down to Osmeña Boulevard and then to the Cebu City Sports Center for the ritual presentation at the grandstand.

"So far, ang naabot nga (request for) permits is (for a) Parokya ni Edgar (concert) on January 14 sa Plaza Independencia and Lifedance sa SRP. There are (other) applications (for events) outside the parade route," Bañacia said.

He said the city government is requiring the companies that are having concerts and parties in the city to submit their disaster plan in case of emergencies.After the grand parade, he said the city will be opening the Sinulog route to vehicular traffic.

Bañacia said that compared to previous years, General MaxilomAvenue (MangoArea) will be open to vehicles since businesses are not allowed to extend their parties outside their premises, even in their parking areas.

"The objective is we will open the grand parade route, deploy street sweepers. We will use machines to clean faster the streets," he said.