THE task group assigned to secure the Sinulog and the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) is working on a security plan in the event that a man-made or natural calamity occurs during these events.
Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas of Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 said the Ad Hoc Task Group Cebu on Cultural and International Events has been meeting since last Monday.
“Each government agency will identify what their role will be if a certain situation or scenario would occur,” said Lawas, officer-in-charge of the deputy regional director for operations office.
He said that once they already have the contingency plans, they will conduct simulation exercises and will make corrections to their plans for final implementation.
The group is still discussing if Cebu’s air space should be declared a no-fly zone during the Sinulog and IEC activities.
They will also tackle if there is a need to jam the signal for communication devices like cell phones to secure the high-profile guests of IEC and Sinulog.
No threat
So far, intelligence operatives have not detected any group that can threaten the security of IEC delegates and Sinulog revelers.
Lawas said the Cebu City Traffic Office consulted trucking firms on the road closures so their operations will not be affected.
The task group is also coordinating with other religious sects.
“We have close ties with these communities and they expressed their support to the government,” said Lawas.
Yesterday, Chief Insp. David Señor of Cebu City Police Office said around 1,000 police officers from other units have arrived to augment the local force.
He said they are targeting more than 3,000 police officers, including the military and other force multipliers like the tanods, to be deployed during the Sinulog grand parade in Cebu City on Sunday.
The police will be on full alert on Sunday.
To minimize traffic and allow students to participate in IEC activities in Lapu-Lapu City, classes in public schools in Lapu-Lapu City’s mainland barangays will be suspended from Jan. 27 to 29 to give way for the Youth Day activities.
The event is one of the activities of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC).
Mayor Paz Radaza, in an interview with reporters yesterday, said public schools in Olango Island and in the islets of Caohagan, Caubian and Pangan-an will have regular classes since they will not be affected by the Youth Day activities.
Earlier, the Department of Education (DepEd) Lapu-Lapu City Division ordered the suspension of classes on Jan. 27 to 29, following a memorandum issued by the DepEd 7 last Jan. 5.
But school officials were instructed to hold make-up classes.
Radaza said five parishes will simultaneously hold a welcome dinner on Jan. 27 for the youth delegates from different parts of the country and the world.
She said around 3,200 delegates will be in the city for the Youth Day events. Most of them will stay with foster families, while a few may stay in hotels.
Radaza said the welcome dinner will have a barrio fiesta theme, and local dishes will be prepared and served by the women’s livelihood group.
On Jan. 28, the delegates will be shuttled to Hoops Dome, where some Youth Day activities will be held.
During the Jericho Walk, a marching band from Barangay Pajo will accompany the delegates, who will walk from Hoops Dome to Mandani Bay in Mandaue City.
Radaza said police personnel and emergency responders will be on standby in Hoopsdome and during the Jericho Walk.