For Sinulog: VECO assures reliable power supply

CEBU, Philippines — In preparation for the solemn procession of the miraculous image of the Sto. Niño tomorrow and the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 20, the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) has put in place contingency measures to ensure a reliable supply of electricity.

In a statement, VECO said that emergency crew will be deployed from January 19 to 20 in different areas along the routes of the two activities so electrical emergencies can be addressed immediately.

VECO personnel will also be on standby in the substations that serve the areas along the routes of the two activities.

VECO is reminding its customers to ensure the safety of their homes and communities by turning off lights that are not being used and unplugging all appliances before leaving their homes to join any of the Sinulog activities.

It enjoined devotees to refrain from flying balloons during the different Sinulog activities as these can cause power outages and other electrical emergencies when these get entangled with its power lines.

In line with the celebration of the National Zero Waste Month this January, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-7, in partnership with Cebu City government, is aiming for a pollution-free fiesta celebration.

This, however, will need public’s cooperation as the Cebu City government provides 50 eco-stations where the public could throw its wastes properly.

EMB-7, in a statement, said that eco-stations will be installed along the Sinulog Grand Parade route, giving convenience to the public in disposing of their trash to a proper disposal area.

The Cebu City Department of Public Services (DPS) will be the one to collect the biodegradable and recyclable materials.

EMB-7 Regional Director Engr. William Cuñado asks the public attending the Sinulog to help EMB-7 and city government achieve this undertaking.

He said simple things such as bringing reusable water bottles or tumblers could already help lessen the generation of waste.

Mobile App

Meanwhile, the country’s leading fintech company and mobile money app GCash paid homage to Sr. Sto. Niño by powering the Sinulog 2019 mobile companion as Cebuanos celebrate Southeast Asia’s grandest festival.

GCash has also introduced its cashless payment system using QR codes to vendors at the Kalingawan sa Plaza (Entertainment at the Plaza) in Cebu’s Plaza Independencia.

 “Señor Sto. Niño has made Cebu the Cradle of Christianity in this part of the world. We are very happy to be part of the Sinulog festival which is dedicated to the Holy Child,” said Anthony Thomas, President and CEO of Mynt. Mynt is the operating company of GCash.

The Sinulog Foundation Inc., headed by Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and executive director Councilor David Tumulak, launched a digital companion for devotees and revelers way back in 2018.

The launch of a better, more advanced, yet friendlier Sinulog 2019 mobile companion happened simultaneously with the Sinulog kickoff activities last January 11, 2019.

This digital companion should enchant digital-savvy devotees and revelers of the Southeast Asia’s grandest festival, said Tumulak.

 “Aside from being the app’s Premier Sponsor, there is a P1,000 GCash Reward for the popular #SinulogMoment photos and videos posted in Facebook from January 13 to 21,” said Anthony Thomas.

He added that a devotee or a reveler posting festival photos must put in the captions the following hashtags: #SinulogMoments and #PagGCashNaBai.

  This is in addition to the official #Sinulog2019 and #SinulogfortheWorld.

 According to Tumulak, the mobile app was created as Osmeña has been pushing for ways to reach out to the younger generations.

The mayor, he added, is also looking forward to the 2021 celebration of the 5th centennial of Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival in Cebu way back in March 1521. — MBG (FREEMAN)