CEBU City Mayor Edgardo Labella issued a directive to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to implement City Ordinance 1929, which penalizes drunkenness in public areas, during the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019.
The ban will take effect between noon and midnight Sunday, or for the duration of the event.
Labella said the city expects a lot of visitors to watch the event and it is important for the people to be on their best behavior to prevent them from causing trouble.
“We are expecting so many people for the celebration. If there are many people and (some) might be drunk, they might misbehave,” he said.
In his letter to CCPO Director Gemma Vinluan, he asked her to apprehend violators of the ordinance.
Some members of the public are willing to cooperate since it is for the benefit of the city.
A sari-sari store owner who asked not to be named said the liquor ban will slightly affect their sales, but it will only be temporary.
“We should cooperate because that is for the welfare of everyone.... It would affect our sales. But as law-abiding citizens, we should follow the mandate,” he said.
Rolan Basillote, a 25-year-old driver, said it was only right for the mayor to implement the ordinance to ensure the safety of revelers, especially those near the venue.
“That’s good to avoid any trouble because there are some, makainom, isud sa ulo, dili sa tiyan (once they have a drink, it goes to their head instead of their stomach),” he said.
He said he was willing to abide by the ban because he didn’t want to be arrested.
Another man who asked not to be named said the ban was fine with him since it would be implemented only for several hours.
The mayor assured that security and emergency measures are in place to make sure the city will be safe during the event.
He also appealed to the barangay captains of Guadalupe, Capitol, Sambag 1 and Sambag 2 and Calamba to deploy their barangay tanods to augment the police force, as well as assist in supervising the traffic flow during the street dancing and ritual showdown.
The Pasigarbo sa Sugbo showdown will take place at the Cebu City Sports Center. Some 44 cities and municipalities in Cebu Province are participating.
The parade will start at 1 p.m. and is expected to finish at 2 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 26.
Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak has asked the riding public to be patient as the event will cause heavy traffic in some areas.
Contingents will station their props on P. del Rosario and Alcantara Streets and Osmeña Blvd.
Aside from deploying ambulances, security and a disaster risk reduction and management team, the City will also deploy members of the Department of Public Services (DPS) to clean up after the event.
The Cebu City Transportation Office will also implement rerouting schemes for vehicles affected by road closures.
Meanwhile, CCPO Director Vinluan also appealed to the public to be vigilant.
“We should not only rely on the police force, but we are also coordinating with the local government units, even with the street sweepers, to be vigilant for any possibilities, especially if they find unattended things. They should immediately report it to the police, who have standard operating procedures on this matter,” she said.
She also asked the public to heed the liquor ban.
“This is to ensure that everyone is safe. To those drunkards, just rest at your homes or else risk being arrested,” she said. (JJL)