At Basilica Del Sto. Niño: Security forces augmented for the safety of devotees

The Basilica del Sto. Niño has already implemented measures to safeguard the tens of thousands of devotees expected to gather at the Basilica during the Sinulog festivity.

More security guards have already been posted at the Basilica to keep watch of the safety of devotees.

Aside from additional security guards, medical teams to be deployed at the area to attend to emergency and medication needs of devotees will also be augmented.

Also, thousands of devotees are again expected to join the annual "Walk with Jesus" penitential foot procession from Osmeña Boulevard to the Basilica, passing by Colon Street. Devotees are advised to bring rosaries, candles and images of the Sto. Niño. The foot procession will be followed by a Holy Mass to be celebrated by Fr. Andrew Batayola, and the installation of the Hermano and Hermana Mayores.

January 12, Friday, will be the opening salvo for the activities lined up by the Sinulog Foundation. Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña will lead city officials in gracing said affair.

The following Friday, January 19, a "Walk with Mary" will also start from Fuente Osmeña at 4 a.m., which will be followed shortly by a Holy Mass.

And on the Vesperas of the annual feast of the Sto. Niño which will fall on the 20th, the traditional foot procession will be observed beginning 2 p.m. Afterwhich, the Holy Mass will be officiated by Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal at the Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center. - Jasmin R. Uy/MEEV