[ Manila Bulletin Online ] January 14, 2009
By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.
Fewer dance groups joining parade this year
CEBU CITY — It’s all systems go for the "festival of all festivals" as the Cebu City government and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have already finalized security plans for the Sinulog Festival 2009 on Jan. 18.
Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said all preparations have been done to ensure a smooth, orderly celebration on Sunday of the feast of the miraculous Sto. Niño de Cebu.
It was reported, however, that the number of dancing contingents participating this year is lesser than that of last year.
"It’s all systems go!" said Rama.
Organizers of the Sinulog 2009 have tapped some 10,000 volunteers to help secure the five-kilometer parade route and make Sinulog 2009 on Jan. 18 much grander than the previous parades.
Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros, said SFI has exceeded the number of volunteers needed, and is grateful for the support of the public in making the annual celebration a success.
At least 10 contingents from other towns and provinces expressed their interest in joining the January 18 parade. Some 50 dancing groups are expected to compete.
Rama said, however, that the number of contingents that have confirmed participation for this Sunday’s mardi gras is lesser than that in last year’s Sinulog, noting that most of those who cancelled their participation had cited the financial crisis as one reason.
"We don’t expect the number to increase because most of those we’ve invited have declined our invitation," Rama said.
Rama said, however, that even if there is less number of contingents in next week’s Sinulog grand parade, the festival would remain grand and exciting.
Yesterday, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Ronald Roderos announced that he has approved the security plan mapped out by Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador for the Sinulog 2009 celebration.
Roderos said he had approved the security plan laid out by Comendador although he stressed that he will continue to patrol around the city to ensure that no security details are missed.
The CCPO has assigned some 500 new cops to secure Sinulog activities.
The 500 new policemen who are still under the field training program will be deployed to help the CCPO secure the route of the grand Sinulog parade on Jan. 18.
Comendador, who was also assigned as the commander of the Task Force Sinulog 2009, said that deployment of new cops is one of the ways to ensure safety during the celebration.
"People are expected to be anywhere in the city so we need all our personnel to be present during the celebration, as criminal elements are also expected to take advantage of the situation," he said.
Aside from the 500 policemen who are still under FTP, the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will also deploy military personnel to help maintain peace and order during the celebration.
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