Balloon vendors told: Sell other products

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor is urging balloon vendors to sell other products instead during the Sinulog because balloons are banned.

DWUP operations head Genevieve Alcoseba said selling and flying of balloons along the Sinulog route and at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño is strictly prohibited. She said the ban started yesterday.

“Unfortunately gi-ban gyud siya kay maka-cause siya og brownout that might cause panic sa public. So kung pwede sa mga na-register nga balloon vendors, lain nalang ilahang ibaligya,” Alcoseba said.

She asked the vendors to cooperate for the general welfare of the public.

“Mangayo ko og dispensa sa balloon vendors nga naka-register na, late man sad mi nakahibaw nga i-ban ang balloons,” Alcoseba said.

DWUP started the registration of vendors on December 18 to 29, 2017. An extension of the registration was held January 4 to 6 to accommodate more vendors.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Philippine National Police, and DWUP personnel are tasked to enforce the policy.Aside from the balloon ban, Alcoseba said that beverages sold in glass bottles are also not allowed along the parade route.

Vendors are prohibited to tag along their children otherwise they will be rescued by the Department of Social Welfare and Services for safety purposes.

“Dapat hinumduman nila nga dili pwede magdala og bata kay i-rescue gyud nasila, i-turnover sa DSWS kay magkalat man gud na sila sakarsada, unya basin mawala n’ya ba. It is for the family also nga walay mahitabo, so diligyud dad-on,” Alcoseba said.

Alcoseba is seeking the understanding of around 300 vendors who were not granted accreditation because they will not be allowed to sell along the parade route.

“Nangayo mi og pasaylo, it breaks our heart nga mabalibaran nato sila. We cannot finish our job pud if we keep on extending sa registration. It is a learning experience pud nila nga dapat sayo sila magpa-register o mokonsulta sa office para walay problema,”Alcoseba said.

She said there were at least 2,786 vendors registered with DWUP for the Sinulog. (FREEMANNEWS)