Still Sinulog problems; Portalets, crowd control

CEBU, Philippines - Due to the lack of portalets along Cebu City streets to cater to Sinulog revelers, Mayor Michael Rama is encouraging the private sector to invest a "mobile comfort facility."

The lack of portable toilets is more felt during the Sinulog festivities due to the influx of people, including local and foreign tourists.

Rama said the portalets installed by International Pharmaceuticals Inc. situated at Osmeña Boulevard fronting the Department of Health-7 are not sufficient to cater to the public.

"I wish there will be a private sector mo-come and mobutang og portalets sa mga designated areas in Cebu. Even when you are in abroad wa kay kwarta di jud ka kaihi," Rama told reporters yesterday. 

Rama said the private sector could maintain the portable toilets which would, in return, generate funds.

Consul Robert Lim Joseph, chairman emeritus of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies, said that more portable toilets have to be mounted in big events like the Sinulog.

"Can you imagine you are sightseeing the whole day and you don't know what toilet to go to for the whole day?" he said.

Crowd control

Meanwhile, the overall chairman of the Sinulog street dancing and grand parade said the removal of bleachers on the streets made the carousel route congested.

Lordino Vergara said the flow of the crowd worsened, particularly in P. Del Rosario Street, one of the judging stations of the street dancing.

 "No it didn't help kasi yung crowd hindi na-control. Ito yung pinakamagulong crowd for the last eight years na na-experience ko. Ngayon lang hindi na-control yung crowd," he said.

Vergara explained that in the past it was the risers or bleachers that barred people from spilling to the streets where the contingents performed.

"Kasi yung barriers nga riser na-prevent yung mga tawo in going to streets," he said.

However, Rama belied Vergara's statement saying that P. Del Rosario was a chokepoint which is in dire need of the clearing for the carousel route.

"Sa iyang view. Wrong siya. Ato tong gi-enhance para tabang to sa mga tawo para di maghuot… Wa siguro siya kakita sa novelty. The bleachers have to be removed. Well, we can never perfect everything as it will be a continuing learning," Rama said.

Rama said the bleachers were not the problem but rather the rope that barred the people from entering the carousel route.

The Sinulog assessments will be tackled during the Sinulog Foundation Inc. board's final briefing anytime soon.

Fully booked

Joseph also reported during the 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza yesterday that hotels in Cebu City and flights were fully booked for the Sinulog festivities.

"This is very good because of the image that it has brought to the world," Joseph said.

While hotel rates have increased by up to 30 percent, Joseph said that this was good, especially for the new hotels and some condominiums that were converted into hotels.

"This is excellent, all we have to do is just continuously improve and promote it to attract more to come to Cebu," Joseph said.

"It is very, very, very important because of the calamities, they can see that in Cebu nothing happened, everything is normal," he further said. (FREEMAN)