Sinulog even stricter next year
To ensure public order and safety, expect stricter security measures for Sinulog Festival next year.
Among the recommendations raised in yesterday's final assessment of Task Force Sinulog 2018 at the Cebu City Hall was the expansion of the coverage of the liquor and entertainment ban.
Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the City Council's Committee on Public Order and Safety and deputy mayor for police matters, said he will recommend to Mayor Tomas Osmeña to widen the coverage of the ban to 500-square meter radius from 300-square meter.
“Naka -create gihapon siya og traffic beyond 300 meters. When we also checked sa atong map, daghan gihapon nag-inom beyond sa 300 meters. Bintaha kun 500 meters ang covered—less traffic and inom,” Tumulak said.
He said the ban will cover the vicinity surrounding the Basilica Minore del Sto Niño.
The new Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director, Chief Superintendent Robert Quenery, backed Tumulak's proposal.
“This year's Sinulog Festival was the most peaceful and orderly compared to the previous years,” he said.
Currently, six establishments, mostly sarisari stores, in the city are set to be investigated for violating this year's executive order on liquor ban.
These establishments are located on General Maxilom Avenue, Osmeña Boulevard, J. Lorente Street, New Imus Road, and in Barangay Lorega San Miguel, according to Tumulak.
“Ato sa ning i-verify kun within the 300-square meter radius. If proven true, these establishments will be endorsed to the Office of the Mayor (for proper sanction),” he said.
Moreover, Quenery said the shutdown of cellphone signals for several hours was effective in keeping the peace and security during the Sinulog Festival.
He said they will still assess the need to implement anew the signal shutdown next year.
He admitted though that the shutdown and lack of handheld radios affected the communication among police personnel.
“Kulang kami ng (handheld) radios. It hampers the inter-agency coordination pag wala kaming radios. So more human resources should be employed,” he said.
Tumulak said the city government did not allot budget for the purchase of handheld radios this year. But he said he will lobby it in next year's appropriation.
Also, he said the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated (SFI) and the city government will purchase metal collapsible railings instead of human barricade, which was considered as one of the problems during the Grand Parade as it reportedly prevented some contingents from performing their street dance routines.
“Our purpose is to put metal collapsible railing so that our PNP will focus on the crowd and spectators instead nga sila ang mahimong human barricade,” he said.
Another recommendation was to discontinue putting up tents as command posts along the Sinulog Grand Parade route.
Tumulak said the command posts might be set up in the basement or parking areas of establishments along the carousel route.
He said the city and SFI also agreed to purchase 10,000 raincoats for the devotees so they will no longer bring umbrellas during the procession.
“In case dunay ulan, the SFI and the city government will provide free raincoats kun mag ulan kay makahamper man ang umbrella sa eye view sa atong security,” he said.
The proposals are seen to make the Sinulog 2019 celebration “better and safer.”—