If Typhoon Hits: ‘Foot Procession is Alternative to Fluvial Parade’

Foot procession will be applied as an alternative once the weather disturbance threatens the fluvial parade this coming Saturday, Msgr. Rey Penagunda said.

Penagunda, Vicar General of Cebu Archdiocese, said that in case there will be a failure to the original plans on the usual fluvial parade route, its better to do the common practice of doing the foot procession.

During the AGIO Forum held at the PIA office, a question of weather disturbance brought by a low pressure area (LPA) is expected on Saturday, was asked by the media.

Penagunda said he also believes that his higher ups and colleagues will adopt his suggestion because foot procession is better than to cancel the procession activities.

He considered procession as a very significant part of the Sinulog activity where faithfuls come together regardless of the weather.

Earlier, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated that the coming LPA will definitely enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) within this week.

PAGASA added that once this LPA becomes a tropical depression or storm, it will certainly affect the fluvial procession which is slated on Saturday dawn.

As a standard operating procedure, every time there will be a typhoon signal, all small boats and big vessels are required to stay put to avoid sea mishaps.

However, Penagunda said, “ let’s just pray that there will be no weather disturbance so that we can achieve what we ought to do during the Sinulog.”

Asked if there was a time a fluvial parade was cancelled due to a bad weather, Penagunda told he has not experienced yet, ever since the start of the Sinulog feast here in Cebu City.