PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte can’t attend the Sinulog 2019 Grand Parade on Jan. 20.

But even with his absence, security will remain tight during all the Sinulog activities, a city official assured.

The Cebu City Government will also extend P400,000 in assistance for police personnel who will be securing the city in the coming days.

Councilor Dave Tumulak said that as of Wednesday, Jan. 9, the check was ready and they were just waiting for the advice of the bank for its release.

The development came after Cebu City Police Office Director Senior Supt. Royina Garma said they need more support from the City Government, particularly in providing food and financial assistance for those who will be serving in the Sinulog.

The City also allocated P2 million as honorarium for other personnel who will be rendering services during the week-long activities of Sinulog 2019.

In a related development, Rosbert Serona Jr., presidential staff officer of the Office of the Appointments Secretary, Office of the President, said the President will not be able to attend the Sinulog 2019 Grand Parade due to his tight schedule.

Serona informed Malou Tabar, Cebu City Government’s public information officer, of the matter.

“May we respectfully inform your office that the President will not be able to attend the said event due to his tight schedule and in view of the engagements that require his utmost attention,” Serona said.

Tumulak, who serves as chairman of the executive committee of the Sinulog Foundation Inc., earlier wrote a letter inviting President Duterte as guest of honor during the Sinulog 2019 Grand Parade.

Despite President Duterte’s absence, Tumulak said tight security measures will still be implemented during the weeklong festivities of the Sinulog.

“But it doesn’t mean that even without the President, we will lower our security preparedness. We, along with the police, will still implement tight security so we will ask the public to just comply,” Tumulak said.

It was in 2011 when the country’s topmost leader, former president Benigno Aquino III, last graced the Sinulog Grand Parade.