Who was permitted to use the Sinulog route?
Our celebration of the Fiesta Señor was both festive and holy, but citizens raised questions on diverse issues hounding the non-religious side of the activities. Most centered on the street parade and related events. Some presented ideas to improve future celebrations while others criticized its handling. I cannot offer any probable answer, but I feel part of this city and want to find explanations to some vague issues.
Was there any one entity that applied for permission to use the city streets for the Grand Parade? I ask this because the use of our highways and traffic management are for the city to govern. For a simple parade to be held, its organizer has to ask for a permit from City Hall. He cannot just flock the roads with his proverbial herd sans the permit. Also, if a caravan uses our streets, the organizer likewise has to get a permit. When a barangay wishes to close a part of the road for a barangay-sponsored activity, it has to ask for authority. The barangay captain cannot just close the road on his own directive. So, for the Grand Parade. Did any one entity apply for (such) a permit?
I don’t have the answer or have any document telling me who sought for such a permit. But when I was city councilor 30 years ago, we used to approve variances to the use of city roads. There was then an ordinance requiring consent from the council in case anyone wants to use a part of a street for any other purpose.
Let’s say someone did get a permit for the Grand Prade. That someone could either be the governing board created by Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, or the Sinulog Foundation Inc., (hereafter, the Foundation) headed by Engr. Pericles Dakay. At the very least, that permit will make sure the activity will be orderly and peaceful. On a more profound note, that permit might have given the applicant authority to control the Sinulog.
I have to presume the permittee had the right to control the activities during the Sinulog. One such control measure was to determine who would cover the event. We learned later that it was the Foundation that entered into a contract with a cable television company (called MyTV hereafter) for exclusive coverage. This means the Foundation, having the authority to organize and control the Sinulog, wouldn’t allow any other television outfit to cover the event unless authorized by MyTV. So only MyTV could beam the Sinulog 2020 to the world.
Another way of control came in the form of a reported exclusive right to sell foodstuffs along the route. It was allegedly contracted by the Foundation to a Manila company for a sizable amount. Naturally, it was intended to exclude other food sellers.
Assuming the Foundation was the permittee, its contract with MyTV and the food giant couldn’t be unceremoniously canceled by a complete stranger. With all elements of a valid contract apparently present, it bound the Foundation and MyTV in the media coverage deal and the Foundation and the food supplier, in the other contract. If a third person believed the contracts were legally flawed, it had to go to court. Not even the mayor, in all his power, could just declare it as invalid.
Now is it wrong to ask who was given the permit to use our streets during the Sinulog?
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