THE grand procession for the feast of Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu in January 2020 will resume its original route that will cover 6.5 kilometers, 500 meters longer than the route it followed in previous years.
It will start at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, turn right to Magallanes St., then to Borromeo St., turn left to J. Alcantara St., turn right to V. Rama Ave., turn right to B. Rodriguez St., and then to the Fuente Osmeña Circle.
It will then turn right to Osmeña Blvd., turn left to P. Del Rosario, turn right to Junquera St. extension, turn left to Colon St., turn right to Mabini St. and back to the Basilica.
Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairman of the committee on disaster risk reduction and management, said the change is due to public clamor, particularly from residents of areas that were part of the procession’s original route.
Tumulak, along with Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) chief Col. Giovanie Maines, officials of the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) and priests from the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño inspected the route on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019.
The procession will start at 1 p.m. and is expected to end at 7 p.m.
Tumulak told reporters that they were able to identify some problems in the route during the inspection such as sagging wires and tree branches that pose danger to the 20-foot carroza.
Uncovered manholes, unfinished road projects, potholes and vehicles parked along the road could also impede the smooth flow of the procession.
Tumulak said the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) has been ordered to cover the open manholes while the Parks and Playgrounds Commission will take charge of trimming the trees.
The Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (Probe) team was also instructed to clear the roads of other obstructions.
He urged people not to park their vehicles along the road as it can obstruct the flow of the procession, especially along J. Alcantara St., Junquera St., and Mabini St. where roads are narrow.
Tumulak also met with Councilor Jerry Guardo, committee on infrastructure chairman, to discuss measures to address the problem on dangling wires especially along the Sinulog route.
The City is calling the attention of several telecommunications companies to fix their wires to ensure public safety during the Fiesta Señor celebration.
In coordination with Cebu Contractors Association, mobile bleachers will be set up along Osmeña Blvd. for senior citizens, pregnant women, children and persons with disability (PWD) who want to attend the procession.
Tumulak said the City’s no backpack policy will again be enforced during the solemn procession on Jan. 18, 2020 and the Sinulog grand parade on Jan. 19.
There shall be no fireworks allowed during the procession, Tumulak said.
Except in 2017 when the procession’s route was further shortened to four kilometers due to some road repair works, the Catholic faithful walked six kilometers from the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño and back in the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019 to honor Cebu’s patron, Sto. Niño.
For a smooth and safe Sinulog 2020 celebration, Tumulak called on the full cooperation of the public, especially those living along the procession route. (JJL)