No balloons along procession route

CEBU, Philippines - Releasing of balloons with attached prayer petitions has been a practice of some devotees right after the solemn procession in line with Sinulog festivities.

But this tradition would have to be stopped after authorities decided to no longer allow the selling and bringing of balloons within the basilica and religious procession route.

This was announced yesterday by City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) executive director Atty. Rafael Christopher Yap who also heads the Committee on Traffic Management of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño executive committee.

The ban, said Yap, was decided for security reasons as balloons released containing petitions could endanger electrical supply equipment especially during the religious procession.

The procession starts and ends at the basilica.

This year's Sinulog takes on the theme "Sr. Sto. Niño, Hope of the People."

Basilica rector Fr. Jonas Mejares said this is very timely as last year was the year of trial while this year is of hope.-(FREEMAN)