CEBU, Philippines — About 3,000 vendors have registered to sell food and wares this coming Sinulog weekend.
Compared to last year, there was a decrease in the number of applicants.
According to Division of the Welfare for the Urban Poor (DWUP) Chief Genevieve Alcoseba, some vendors from last year did not renew their permits.
Alcoseba said that they will not be accepting applications anymore because their workload will be back to square one.
On the first day of registration last January 9, DWUP registered about 500 vendors for Sinulog 2019.
The vendors are positive that they will earn during the festivities.
Alcoseba added the registration of the vendors is a win-win move in keeping the Sinulog orderly.
She said that vendors should comply with the requirements so that they will not be apprehended by the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE) team.
Sinulog vendors will be given three days to sell food and other products, from January 18 to 20.
"We will make sure that they will be reminded of their obligation especially on safety and obstruction on the pathways," Alcoseba said.
A short orientation on the “DOs and DON’Ts” will be conducted before the vendors are given their Sinulog identification cards (IDs) which will be done on Thursday and Friday.
Meanwhile, more than 7,000 people from 10 Sinulog contingents that will join the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday will be housed in the classrooms in five different schools in the city.
Yesterday, the Cebu City Health Department and Department of Education-Cebu City Division have done fogging in the rooms that will house the out-of-town and contingents from Cebu province.
City Councilor David Tumulak, chairperson of the Sinulog Foundation Inc.-Executive Committee, said the government, with the help of all stakeholders, want the contingents to feel that they are welcome here in the city.
The billeting schools are Regino Mercado Elementary School, Labangon Elementary School, Abellana National School, City Central School, and Mabolo Elementary School. — Isabella G. Obor (FREEMAN)