Cebu City government braces for massive fiesta crowd

MANILA, Philippines — Full cooperation and coordination between different government agencies are needed to ensure the smooth flow of next year’s fluvial procession of Sto. Nino de Cebu as they anticipate a massive number of participants following a two-year hiatus.

No fluvial procession took place in the past two years due to COVID-19 that a lot of Cebuanos and the rest have expressed interest to join this activity on the sea.

With this, Cebu City Councilor Phillip Zafra said they are closely coordinating with the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Navy and Maritime Industry Authority, among others for safety and security.

Next year’s fluvial procession will also be passing through beneath the CCLEX from Lapu-Lapu City for the first time after Sto. Nino’s motorcade in this year’s Sinulog.

Along with this, Zafra also emphasized that it is very important that the bancas, motorboats, vessels, among others should be duly registered.

MARINA-7 and the PCG are taking charge in the monitoring and registration of these boats and bancas.

"Nag-expect na gyud ta nga daghan gyud ang mosalmot sa mga sa rehiliyuusong kalihukan ilabi na nga duha ka tuig kini nga nawala. Motuman lang gyud ta sa mga lagda," Zafra said.

Aside from the fluvial procession, the Cebu City government and those involved in the Fiesta Senor and the Sinulog festivities are also stepping up their preparations as a grand comeback for both the religious and cultural and arts activities in honor of the Senor Sto. Nino de Cebu is being projected.

Zafra is also busy meeting with barangay officials, the police and the rest of the concerned agencies for the other religious activities on land as well as for the grand showdown at the South Road Properties. —Sanden J. Anadia (FREEMAN)