Fewer vessels register for fluvial parade

CEBU, Philippines - Fewer vessels have registered for the annual fluvial parade in honor of Sr. Sto. Niño with only 55 vessels registered compared to 189 vessels last year.

Captain Rolando Punzalan, Cebu Coast Guard head, said that this was due to the failure to acquire a certificate of sea worthiness from MARINA, which was the main requirement for the vessel to be included in the fluvial parade.

The fluvial parade will be on Saturday, at 6 am, starting at the Ouano Wharf going to Pier 1.

Last year, 189 registered but around 400 vessels joined during the fluvial procession day itself, as some of the unregistered vessels were at the tail end.

“Last year we tolerated those vessels but this year, as much as possible, we will avoid the same scenario to happen for safety and security reasons,” said Punzalan.

“We will deploy personnel at the rear end of the fluvial parade to document if there are unregistered vessels and once they will be identified, we will issue an apprehension report and a maritime violation receipt,” Punzalan added.

For the very first time, owners of participating vessels which observed safety guidelines will be able to get a certificate of commendation  from the Basilica del Sto. Niño signed by the new rector, Fr. Jonas Mejares, OSA.

“So what will happen this year is a combination  of rewards and penalties.

We will consider giving apprehension reports for appropriate penalties because not following the safety guidelines is one of the reasons for accidents,” Punzalan said.

Punzalan recalled that last year, a small banca, with kids paddling it, got hit by another motorized banca. The kids, who were already used to being in the sea, jumped off the banca and were safely recovered by another banca.

The fluvial parade is the reenactment of the historical arrival of Magellan’s galleon “at the mouth of the cove of Cebu called Mandaue at the noon of April 7, 1521” bringing the image of the Santo Niño to Cebu.

The fluvial parade, which is a religious-civic celebration, started in the early 1980s with performers portraying Queen Juana and King Humabon. It has become one of the highlights of the annual fiesta.

But Punzalan said that despite those small incidents, last year was satisfactory and by establishing proper safety guidelines, they hope to have a secure and safe fluvial parade this year. 

The registered and accredited vessels must assemble at the designated area near Ouano wharf in Mandaue starting at 5 a.m. and their officers are enjoined to strictly abide by the Coast Guard rules and regulations from the start of the fluvial parade until the arrival of the galleon at Pier 1 to avoid any sea mishap.

The Mactan Channel will be closed from 4 a.m. until 9 a.m. — (FREEMAN)