"WE ARE expecting about 100,000 spectators this year, and it will not be easy to manage all that, so we ask for the cooperation of everybody. But rest assured, we will focus on the security of the venue and safety of those who will watch this year's 'Ligligan Parul' or Giant Lantern Festival (GLF) at Robinsons Starmills on December 14 up to last night of the exhibition."
Thus said GLF Committee on Security chairman and physical set-up adviser Engr. Marni Castro during Monday's (November 25) press briefing at city hall, where preparations in full gear have been bared and disseminated to media.
Castro reminded spectators to be mindful of the rules and regulations set to maintain the peace and order during the event.
"This time, the 'no ticket, no entry' rule will be strictly implemented so to those who will namedrop officials or GLF committee members, sorry na lang po," he said.
He added bringing of backpacks, as well as flying of drones, except that from the City Information Office, will be strictly prohibited.
Castro said about 300 policemen with an augmentation team from the Police Regional Office-Central Luzon and at least six bomb-sniffing dogs will be deployed to secure the area during the festival.
"We have a very big venue this year that can accommodate up to 100,000. Robinsons Starmills has also allocated about 1,000 parking slots near the actual venue for the spectators alone. As in the past, areas for spectators, guests and media have been designated. Entry and exit points to these areas will be manned by uniformed police personnel as well as authorized usherettes and ushers from the city government. Gates will open exactly at 5 p.m." he said.
Castro also assured that the giant lanterns will be visible even for those in the standing-room-only areas. "From a range of about 150 meters to 200 meters, the lanterns will be visible and spectators can enjoy the 'ligligan' even if they are at the standing-room-only outside of the seating areas. Security will also be tight in these areas as we have several CCTV cameras installed for the safety of everybody."
To avoid gridlocks, Castro said a traffic scheme will be implemented inside and within Robinsons Starmills and along Jose Abad Santos Avenue from morning of December 14 until midnight of December 15 to ease the travel of spectators.
"We are requesting the City Government to ban during that time big trucks from traversing Jose Abad Santos Avenue. In the same manner, we will station a tow truck in the area in case of vehicular breakdowns," he said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Edwin Santiago said the City Government will continuously support the festival.
"The 'Ligligan Parul' has a great impact to the city's tourism and economy especially now that it has become a big industry for Fernandinos and Kapampangans. That is why we will continue to support it in whatever means necessary for the industry's growth. In terms of culture preservation, we will pass this beautiful tradition to our youth so they can also sustain it for the next generation," he said.
This year, 12 villages will participate in this year's "Ligligan Parul." These include Barangays Del Pilar, San Pedro, newcomers Bulaon and San Agustin, San Juan, San Nicolas, Sta. Lucia, Telabastagan, San Jose, Sindalan, San Calulut, and Sto. Nino. (JTD)