No street parties during Sinulog Fest — Cebu City mayor
CEBU CITY — The city government has ordered a ban on street parties during the culmination of the Sinulog Festival marked by a grand parade on Jan. 15.
Lawyer Collin Rosell, secretary of City Mayor Michael Rama, told reporters that street parties were prohibited since these may cause public disturbance and that the police were spread out and could not attend to all areas in the city.
“Street parties usually involve a lot of people since it is an outdoor activity. These might disturb passers-by,” Rosell said.
Mayor Rama, in a directive for the safe conduct of the festival, also prohibited the sale and consumption of liquor within the route of the Sinulog grand parade at the South Road Properties (SRP).
However, hotels located at the SRP are exempted from the liquor ban.
“What we are prohibiting is public drunkenness. Hotels are not covered by the ban. What we’re concerned about are people who cause trouble after drinking too much liquor (in public spaces),” Rosell said.
While selling and drinking alcoholic beverages outside the SRP is allowed, Rosell encouraged revelers to drink in moderation.
Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, City Police Office director, shared the same sentiment.
In a separate interview, Dalogdog appealed to revelers not to buy and drink liquor during the Sinulog Grand Parade even if they were allowed to do so outside the SRP.
“People who get drunk may commit violations and that’s what we are trying to avoid,” he said.
Face masks
In a directive issued Jan. 8, Rama also reminded revelers about the continued non-obligatory use of face masks, except in high-risk areas or places like health care facilities and medical transport vehicles, among others.
People were also discouraged from bringing backpacks and large bags on major Sinulog activities, especially during processions and parades, so the police could easily check what people were bringing.
Brigadier General Jerry Bearis said around 2,600 personnel from the police, Army, Coast Guard, and other government agencies were tapped to secure the public during religious and cultural activities.
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