No Signal Shutdown for Sinulog Festivities, says Mayor Mike Rama

There will be no signal shutdown in all of the events leading to the feast of the Santo Nino de Cebu and at the Sinulog Festival on January 21, officials said.

On the other hand, at least 3,500 personnel from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fire Protection are deployed beginning today to secure the events of the Sinulog 2024 and 459th Fiesta Señor.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he has always been against signal shutdown as this will impair the services needed during the events and people will not be able to communicate during the events.

“No shut off. That is my stand. I have been always making that statement,” Rama emphasized.

“They have to listen and they should listen. Why because we are the ones who are here and we know the 459th fiesta and we never would risk having a Jurassic festival,” Rama told reporters during the send-off ceremonies of the security personnel.

Cebu City Police Office director, Col. Ireneo Dalogdog, said that they will listen to the mayor, and as the local official said there will be no signal shutdown during the festivities.

He said that they already have security in place for the huge festivities which would draw in thousands of devotees and tourists to Cebu City.

“We will always submit to the wisdom of our City Mayor, Hon. Michael Lopez Rama, so kung ano yung gusto niya susundin natin siya,” Dalogdog said in a separate interview.

There are two aspects to the festivities in Cebu: one is religious or the Fiesta Señor and the other is cultural or the Sinulog.

There will be two major festival parades in the Sinulog this year including the January 14 Sinulog sa Lalawigan and the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 21.

The highlight of the 459th Fiesta Señor religious activities will be the fluvial procession at the Mactan Channel and the Solemn Procession around Cebu City both held on January 20. (ZAG)