Stricter rules on Sinulog street parties pushed

CEBU, Philippines – If there’s one important thing the Sinulog Foundation Inc. wants to uphold, it is to keep the sanctity of the Sinulog Festival.

Because of the reported inappropriate behavior shown by some people in street parties in the previous years, the non-profit organization demanded for stringent policies that should be established during the occasion.

“Our concern now, as what we have observed in the previous years, is we have seen every after Sinulog that many people fall back to alcoholic drinking at street parties,” said SFI Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros.

Stricter rules should be enforced by the Cebu City government on street parties, he said, especially that the religious festival is followed by the holding of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress.

Ballesteros said he recently coordinated with the city government, through acting mayor Edgardo Labella, to ask the latter’s support on the matter.

Separately, Labella told the media that this initiative is a “welcome development,” however, the matter will still be brought up in a collaborative meeting with concerned stakeholders.

He said he is hoping to strictly maintain the order in holding street parties, especially on General Maxilom Avenue and neighboring areas.

Labella pointed out that minors should not be allowed to drink alcoholic beverages and prohibited from availing of liquors on any occasion.

This is contrary to what circulated on the social media the following day after the festival last year where young people were photographed lying on the ground and streets, apparently drunk.

“Ang lihok sa tawo nagkagubot (without regulations) lisod kaayo… There is fun in Sinulog but we have to (impose regulations on street parties.) Ipatigbabaw ang religious nga aspeto. Though this is a festival, by nature, this started as religious activity,” said Ballesteros.

 “The city should impose penalties, it is their responsibility and we have no hold on that. We appeal for the city to impose such regulations. If they violate certain guidelines, the city should impose certain charges, too,” he added.

Meanwhile, also to be provided on the guidelines is the issuance of the necessary permits to business establishments so as to harmonize the street activities during the Sinulog Festival.

“We already declined permits (in the past years but many were able to elude.) Supposedly, we already asked the city that whenever there are events, if possible it should be coursed through the Sinulog Foundation Inc. so that it will not be in conflict with our preparations,” he said, noting that the foundation has been in charge of all activities related to the festival.

“We requested that there should be endorsement from the Sinulog Foundation Inc. before they can secure the city’s permits. There were event organizers that have been turned down but unfortunately were given permits by the city that resulted to a congested Mango Avenue,” he said.

To avoid congestions, he suggested to event organizers to hold their activities in other venues like school campuses; Cebu I.T. Park; or at the South Road Properties.

For now, the foundation has sent written communications to business establishments banning the installation of large sound systems along the road so as not to interrupt the performing contingents. — /JMD (FREEMAN)