CCPO ready for Pasigarbo

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office is “100 percent ready” to secure the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2024.

This, as contingents have already arrived and already made their blocking preparations at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) starting Thursday until this morning.

Tribu Masadyaon, representing the Hinulawan Festival of Toledo City; Panuhog Festival of the Sta. Fe town in Bantaya island; Toslob Festival of Oslob town, are among the contingents that traveled from their respective towns and cities to Cebu city last Friday.

The Toledo City contingent even had a send-off mass before heading to Cebu City. The contingent from Santa Fe was also welcomed by the teachers of Lahug Elementary School upon their arrival at their billeting quarters. Mayor Ithamar Espinosa and other officials of Santa Fe were with the contingent.

The local government unit of Cebu City prepared 30 schools as billeting quarters for the 51 competing contingents joining this year’s “Festival of all Festivals.”

In terms of security, Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, CCPO deputy city director for operations, assured saying they already thoroughly assessed areas where security issues could potentially occur, to ensure they are well-prepared to address them.

They identified the locations for dancing, props, and assembly areas, including the designated exit and pick-up points for the Local Government Units (LGU) with their respective contingents.

They also checked the roads that will be used for the event, particularly R. Landon Extension and the “entire stretch” of Osmeña Boulevard.

"We were told that the road closure (tomorrow) will begin as early as 9 a.m., but we will see if that is still the prevailing decision,” Macatangay said.

Personnel from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, and other government agencies will be deployed to ensure security of the event.

Strict security measures will be implemented, particularly at the CCSC, especially with the expected attendance of high-profile guests.

Macatangay said they have also requested guidelines from the Cebu provincial government regarding the use of drones.

She assured that although no threats have been detected, the police will not be complacent and have maintained and will maintain tight security throughout the event, including the awarding tomorrow.

She said they will implement a “one entrance, one exit” policy for contingents at the Cebu City Sports Center, and they have already established a system to manage spectators effectively.

"As early as 6 a.m., you will be seeing policemen on the streets. So, our goal is to ensure that the areas covered by the activity are already secured by that time," Macatangay said.

"Hangyo lang gud namo nga kooperasyon ani nila, the contingents, the spectators, that they will follow the protocols that we implemented therein and mo-respect lang gud sa mga authorities nga naa sa Cebu City Sports Center," she added.

In particular, those who want to witness the Pasigardo are prohibited from bringing hazardous and sharp objects, alcoholic beverages, pyrotechnics, and any other items that could pose any danger to others inside the venue.

Yesterday, the CCPO in coordination with the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Cebu City Transportation Office, and the Provincial Planning and Development Office, conducted a final walkthrough of the street dancing route.

A few of the contingents have started also their practice and blockings for their performances at the CCSC, where they were given one hour each to practice and finalize their presentations starting Thursday until this morning.

Tomorrow, 52 contingents, including Cebu City, will be showcasing their vibrant festivals, although Cebu City, showcasing the Sinulog, will just be a guest contingent.

Provincial Board Member Andrei “Red” Duterte said the street dancing will start at 1 p.m.

The street dancing competition will start at 2 pm at the Cebu Capitol going to CCSC and the ritual showdown will follow, serving as culmination to their months-long preparation.

The Capitol tapped a new set of judges for the ritual showdown for the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2024, which is part of the celebration of Cebu Province’s 455th Founding Anniversary.

For the ritual showdown, Duterte said that the first contingent will begin to perform at 6 p.m.

“At 6 p.m. inig-sunset gyud, contingent number one will start and it (competition) will end, if everything goes well, around 12:15 or 12:20 a.m. ang last contingent gyud,” said Duterte.

Of the 51 competing contingents, Tuburan town (Tubod Festival) will perform first while Lingaw-Sadya Festival of Balamban will be the last.

This year, Cebu City will be participating as a guest contingent for Pasigarbo sa Sugbo showcasing Sinulog Festival which will be performed by Banauan Cultural Group. (CEBU NEWS)