Lapu-Lapu City carnival opens

CEBU, Philippines – Lapu-Lapu City Engineer Allan Pedrigal plans to cut off power to the carnival across Hoopsdome in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City, that "partially operated" yesterday evening despite being advised to coordinate with their office for having unsafe rides.

Pedrigal said a recommendation letter and a report were sent to the Office of the City Mayor after his team checked the carnival last Monday and found the carnival rides unsafe.

"If they can't follow our advice, we will stick to our plan to cut their electricity or to stop their operation because we are still waiting for the mayor's response," he said.

Since Pedrigal could not send his team last night, he said he will send his group today to check the area and talk with the operators.

Pedrigal said his team went to check the carnival Monday and found the operators setting up the amusement rides owned by Lecian Carnival.

“Ang base kuno, dili safe kay gibutangan og mga plywood. Ang tiil bitaw niya murag gitukod-tukuran lang gud og mga kahoy,” Pedrigal said.

The Lecian Carnival also operates the Kasadya sa SRP in Talisay City that opens every December.

Since the carnival targets families and children, electrical engineer Frederick Escuyos confirmed Pedrigal’s assessment because the bases of the rides were not properly anchored. If the amusement rides were not securely fastened, the screws might come loose, said Escuyos.

“Naa’y possibility kay moving man gud na, ang vibrations mao’y mo-cause nga mo-loag na siya, so posible matumba,” he added.

Though the operators are still fixing the carnival rides, Escuyos said the uncovered wirings and the improper placement of the bases of each amusement rides were found alarming. This led to the recommendation letter to City Mayor Paz Radaza.

“Naa’y mga violations like katong sa base nila nga wala ma-properly anchored unya ang katong mga electrical wirings kay naka-expose ra, wala ma-conceal,” Escuyos said.

Escuyos suggested to the operators to go to their office as soon as possible or risk cancellation of the permit issued from their department.

“If they will continue operating the carnival rides without the coordination in our office, we will implement sanctions against them such as revocation of their temporary electrical permit for carnival and then a recommendation to remove their mayor’s permit,” Escuyos said.

According to the operators who spoke to Escuyos, they use wood as a base in other carnival rides in other towns and cities.

“Ang ilaha gyud gustong, i-stress out kay sa uban nga towns or municipalities kung muadto sila sa mga fiesta, magbutang sila og carnival mao ra gihapon ilaha gamiton, ang kahoy nga ipatung-patong sa base nila which is delikado kay moving man ang equipment,” Escuyos said.

Escuyos said aside from burying the foot of the rides deep in soil for stable support, operators can use cement in maintaining the strength of the bases of the amusement rides.

“Pwede ra na nga recommendation, anyway temporary ra man na. Ang semento siguro di man ingon nga dako og gasto kay wala man makatupong sa gasto sa safety,” he said.

So far, Escuyos said the city has not experienced any malfunctions and accidents involving carnival operations.

The carnival is in line with its incoming feast of Our Lady of the Rule this coming November 20-21. —/BRP (FREEMAN)