LOCAL police are now 100 percent ready for the 50th Sinulog sa Carmen in Carmen town on Sunday, January 22, 2023.
Carmen Police Chief Maj. Eric Gingoyon told SunStar Cebu that a total of 686 policemen have already been to deployed to the municipality since Friday, January 20, to provide security during the event.
Gingoyon said that force multipliers such as barangay tanods, traffic and disaster risk personnel will also help the policemen to maintain order, such as crowd control.
He said that high-ranking officials of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO 7) will hold a walk through today, January 21, in the area where the Sinulog grand parade and ritual showdown will be held.
"Posible nga duna nay mga adjustment apan mga minor lang. Nag meeting naman to sila daan and then naa naman mga recommendation unya amo namang gisunod tanan," Gingoyon said.
(It is possible that there are minor adjustments. They had a meeting and there were recommendations that we follow).
Meanwhile, the traffic rerouting during the grand parade has been posted on SunStar Cebu's Facebook page to guide motorists.
Gingoyon said there will be a truck ban starting 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, January 22, to give way to the 27 dancing contingents.
He also advised travelers to the town to carpool as a way to lessen the traffic situation there during the fiesta.
"Sa kadtong moagi sa Carmen hilabina kadtong gusto mag-outing mas maayo nga dili na lang mopadayon kay expected gyud na ug heavy traffic. Ang mga nag-planong motan-aw mas maayo nga mag car pooling kon daghan mo o grupo para usa nalang ka sakyanan ang gamiton kay dili kaayo daghan ang atong parking area ," Gingoyon said.
(Those passing by Carmen, especially those having an outing, it is better not to push through their plan due to heavy traffic. Those who plan to watch the event, it would be better if you would carpool if you are in a large group as we only have limited parking spaces available)
Gingoyon said they are expecting around half million people, including local and foreign tourists, to witness the event.
But he said that the Carmen oval can accommodate only up to 30,000 people.
"Actually mao na ang among gipangandaman nga moabot man gani ug half million ang motan-aw mao na nga daghang pulis ang gi augment sa atoa," Gingoyon added.
(Actually, we have been preparing if the spectators would reach half a million people, that's why we have police augmentation force).
Gingoyon advised the public not to bring firearms or bladed weapons along the parade route or inside the oval, even though there is no gun ban. No liquor ban will be imposed in the town during the fiesta, he added.
Gingoyon also encouraged the public to bring their umbrellas and raincoats since there is a 50 percent that it might rain in Carmen on Sunday according to the weather bulletin.
In an interview with Engr. Al Quiblat, chief of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Visayas, on Friday, January 20, he said Cebu will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies, mostly sunny, with 40 percent probability of isolated rain showers in the afternoon and in the evening due to localized thunderstorms.
“Generally, Cebu will experience fair weather today and over the weekend,” Quiblat told SunStar Cebu. (BBT / TPT)