Registration for fluvial procession now open

CEBU, Philippines - The Sinulog Foundation, Inc. through the Coast Guard is now accepting registrants to those who intend to participate in the annual fluvial procession of the Sto. Niño on January 16.

Anelito Gabisan, Public Information Officer of Coast Guard District Central Eastern Visayas (CGDCEV), said those who intend to join the procession must bring along valid documents such as registration certificates or licenses issued by Maritime Industry Authority 7 to prove the sea worthiness of their vessels or seacrafts.

Gabisan said those who fail to meet the registration deadline on January 12 will not be allowed to join the procession. About 100 vessels participate in the procession every year.

The fluvial procession is undertaken to honor the Child Jesus and to commemorate the arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in Cebu in 1521.

Gabisan said that like in the previous years, the Philippine Coast Guard has set measures for the safety and security of those participating in the procession. Participating vessels are required to have life vests on board while firecrackers and overloading of vessels are strictly not allowed.

The procession will begin at the Ouano wharf in Mandaue City and will traverse the Mactan channel towards Pier 1 in Cebu City.

From the Ouano wharf, participating vessels and sea crafts would proceed to the Muelle Osmeña pier and General Milling compound before going the Mandaue – Mactan bridge towards Cebu City.

Gabisan said the Cebu Channel (North and South) will be closed to all incoming and outgoing vessels or sea crafts at 5:30 am on January 16 and will be re-opened after roughly three hours. — Marjun A. Baguio, University of Cebu Intern/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)