Rama to tap neighboring LGUs to decongest crowd

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants 2016 Sinulog to be a “mega event” by tapping the neighboring local government units to organize parties to decongest the crowd in the metropolis.

The city government is encouraging the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Talisay, and the towns of Minglanilla and Consolacion to organize systematic street parties and gimmicks to entice the public.

“Ang ending, you shared the benefits with other LGUs, reduce the burden and you make everybody happy during the Mega Sinulog 2016,” said Rama, overall chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Inc.

Rama is eyeing for an extraordinary Sinulog next year in preparation for the upcoming international events, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit this year and the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016, where Pope Francis may be attending.

“Sinulog 2016 must be an extraordinary Sinulog, therefore it must be extra-ordinarily prepared anticipating for the arrival of VIPs and sister cities’ representatives around the globe,” Rama said.

To address the rowdy crowd during the Sinulog, the mayor directed his department heads, local disaster council, police authorities, and quick response volunteers, among others, during yesterday’s post-Sinulog assessment to start a smooth master planning on crowd control, security and the likes in preparation for next year’s events.

He said the officials and authorities should concentrate more on securing the crowd outside the City Sports Center during the Grand Parade.

As a paradigm shift, he said only 20 percent of the crowd is allowed inside the grandstand while 80 percent should be scattered outside.

He said this will be achieved once activities are organized in separate areas to prevent untoward accidents like stampede and standoff resulting to injuries and/or deaths.

With the Mega Sinulog concept, Rama is planning to bid out Sinulog marketing to lessen the expenses of the city. He said he will discuss this with Board of Trustees.

Also, Rama is studying a move to institutionalize another Sinulog category for the universities and colleges.

He said there would be two categories for the Sinulog contingents to compete at day time and at in the evening and each category would have separate winners on top of the overall champion. — Kristine B. Quintas/JMD (FREEMAN)