CEBU, Philippines - Law enforcement agencies will work hand in hand to ensure the safety of those taking part in the festivities of next month’s annual Sinulog.
This was assured by Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the City Council committee on public order and safety.
“Daghan kaayo nga mga force multiplier nga atong gipang-tap karon,” he said.
Among those the city has tapped are barangay tanods and members of the parish security groups.
Tumulak said they have requested security guards of establishments “to be more vigilant especially hotels, and report to the nearest police station any suspicious person nga muabot diri sa Cebu City.”
The Philippine Association of Detective and Protective Agency Operators, Inc. will be part of the loop, he said.
He said the city government has started meeting with law enforcement agencies, including the police and the Marines, to put the security plans in place.
Tumulak said both land and sea will be secured with the Marines, Coast Guard, and Bantay Dagat personnel to secure the waters surrounding the city.
Checkpoints will be set up at boundaries of Cebu City.
On the medical and health component, Tumulak said barangay health centers will stay open on January 14, the day of the Holy Procession, and on January 15, the day of the Grand Parade.
Thousands are expected to flock to both the procession and the Grand Parade.
“If slight injuries, pwede ra matambalan sa health center, adto ra sa health center dili na dad-on sa hospital kay atong gilikayan sad nga atoang ambulances magdagan-dagan tungod sa kadaghan sa mga tao simbako duna nya’y mga vehicular accident na hinuon nga mahitabo,” Tumulak said.
Grand parade
Tumulak said dancers, propsmen, giants, and floats participating in the Grand Parade will assemble in separate areas.
Dancing contingents will assemble along the New Imus Road and will start performing at the corner of MJ Cuenco Avenue and General Maxilom Avenue towards the Fuente Osmeña and down to the Osmeña Boulevard heading to the Cebu City Sports Center.
K9 units will help check the service vehicles of contingents where their food will be stored. These vehicles will be parked as early as 5a.m. on New Imus Road towards the street going to Barangay Day-as. Floats will also be scanned by K9 dogs, he said.
Kaohsiung buses will wait for the contingents along N. Bacalso Avenue.
Props will have a separate waiting area, Tumulak said. A large Elf truck will be provided on J. Alcantara Street for these.
Meanwhile, floats and giants will assemble on General Maxilom Avenue going to A. Soriano Avenue while and puppeteers will assemble on MJ Cuenco Avenue. The floats and giants will be accommodated in the parade passes their assembly area.
“Para inig start sa sayaw, inig ingon nga start dancer, unsay sunod na category, float sumpay na sad. Higante sumpay na sad,” Tumulak said.
The Grand Parade will start at 9 a.m. on January 15.
Tumulak is asking for the public’s cooperation and understanding for a smooth, safe, and solemn celebration of the Sinulog.
“Mao nang nag-awhag ta sa publiko alang niadtong motan-aw unya sa umaabot nga Sinulog nga nagkinahanglan kita sa ilahang kooperasyon. Kini atong gipatuman nga hugot sa seguridad para kini nila, para kini natong tanan nga magmalipayon, hapsay ang atong pagpahigayon sa atoang Sinulog,” he said.
On a separate issue, Tumulak is urging establishments along the parade route to refrain from putting up sound systems so as not to disrupt the performers.
“Kay ila man gung gihimo, during the Sinulog route, Sinulog beat, it will hamper the dancers sa ilang choreography,” Tumulak said.
The city also will not allow street parties and concerts within a 300-meter radius of the Sinulog route.
“Pwede magsaba-saba outside 300 meters,” he said.
Sinulog 2017 will open formally on January 6. (FREEMAN)