WITH less than two days before the 2025 Sinulog Grand Parade, the Cebu City Government is racing to complete the road repairs and refilling of open pits along the carousel route to ensure the safety of spectators.
City Councilor Jerry Guardo, in a phone interview on Thursday, Jan. 16, said the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) has until Friday, Jan. 17, to finish the road repairs and asphalting that are now 90 percent complete.
This year’s solemn Santo Niño procession, set on Saturday, Jan. 18, will traverse from the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu along Osmeña Blvd., to Fuente Osmeña Circle going to Gen. Maxilom Ave., to Imus Ave. and M.J. Cuenco Ave., then back to Osmeña Blvd. before going to the Basilica.
On Jan. 19, the Sinulog Grand Parade Carousel will be held with its usual route along N. Bacalso Ave. to P. Del Rosario St. to Imus Ave., then to Gen. Maxilom Ave., then the Fuente Osmeña Circle, to Osmeña Blvd., before entering the Cebu City Sports Center.
Guardo, who leads the Technical Infrastructure Committee (TIC) conducted an ocular inspection along P. del Rosario St., regarded as the critical area of the 5.6 kilometer Sinulog carousel route due to uneven roads, potholes, and on-going excavation works of a drainage project.
The drainage project was implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) near the University of San Carlos - main campus.
“This will create restrictions along the road which might result in congestion, increasing the chances of people tripping over and potentially causing bottlenecks and stampedes,” said Guardo.
“Our advice to the DPWH was that the open pit and excavation be temporarily filled back with construction materials and to be compacted for the safety of the spectators,” he added.
Guardo also ordered the removal of metal railings installed in these on-going projects to allow the smooth flow of spectators along the sidewalk.
In coordination with utility and telecommunication firms, Guardo said dangling spaghetti wires were removed and secured along the procession and parade route.
“We have to avoid the height of these wires snagging into Sinulog floats and props of the contingents as they pass below, and also for the carroza of the solemn procession of the Señor Sto. Niño,” said Guardo.
He said the repairs are meant to ensure the safety not only of spectators and devotees joining the Sinulog Festival and Fiesta Señor celebrations but also of the 45 participating contingents. / EHP