Stricter rules set for Sinulog events

CEBU, Philippines — Event organizers in line with the Sinulog 2023 will undergo strict scrutiny by the Sinulog Executive Committee (SEC).

City Councilor Phillip Zafra, chairman of the City Council’s and SEC’s committee on peace and order, said the city will make sure that all conditions set by the city government will have to be complied with before a permit is issued to an organizer.

“We are on top of this and we are still scrutinizing those who are applying for permits to hold events during the Sinulog kay dako ang venue and we don’t want major accidents to happen,” said Zafra, in a meeting as quoted by the City’s PIO.

A handful of organizers have already sent out feelers of interest to hold events during the Sinulog 2023 celebration mainly at the South Road Properties.

Zafra said the SEC is closely coordinating with the organizers to make sure that they will comply with City Hall’s conditions.

“There’s one big event (whose organizer) reached out to us. Makig-meeting pa mi nila together with the police because we don’t want another incident similar to Aurora,” Zafra said.

The Cebu Aurora Music Festival at SRP last Nov. 19 where organizers only provided two portalets during the event and left tons of garbage undisposed.

“Mga 23,000 kabuok ang mga ni-attend ‘nya duha ra ka portalet during the concert. What’s even worse was that the organizer promised to provide after care but gibiyaan ra nila ang basura pagkahuman,” Zafra said.

“Maayo nalang naa tay mga tao. We don’t want that to happen again,” added Zafra.

There are already several events announced in time for the Sinulog, but the Cebu City Police Office said, they have only met the religious sector so far for this.

“So far we only met with the religious sector para sa kaning events as we still have not arranged for our augmentation (force),” said Police Lt. Col. Janette Rafter, CCPO deputy director for operations.

Aside from the cleanliness and orderliness, the Sinulog Executive Committee also wants to ensure the safety of everyone attending the mass gatherings, especially after the crowd stampede incident in Korea last month that killed more than a hundred people.

A massive crowd is expected not only during the Sinulog grand showdown but even at concerts and parties following the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years. — GMR (FREEMAN)