PCG: Fluvial dry run meets target

CEBU, Philippines — A successful dry run for the traditional fluvial procession, one of the major highlights of the annual Feast of Señor Santo Niño, was conducted on Friday, January 9, as part of the preparations for the 461st Fiesta Señor.

The fluvial procession scheduled on January 17 will feature the MV Lite Ferry 10 as the official galleon carrying the images of the Sagrada Familia—Señor Santo Niño, Birhen sa Guadalupe, and St. Joseph. The ro-ro passenger vessel, owned by Lite Shipping Corporation, was built in 2024 and currently serves local routes in the country.

Yesterday’s dry run was led by the Augustinian Friars of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, in coordination with the Coast Guard District Central Visayas and Naval Forces Central. Organizers said the dry run concluded smoothly, with only minor adjustments identified to further improve coordination and execution during the actual procession.

Coast Guard Station Central Visayas commander Captain Jerome Lozada said the dry run achieved its target travel time of one hour and 30 minutes from Lapu-Lapu City to Pier 1 in Cebu City.

“Overall naman, commendable naman ang atong dry run. We're able to perform and we’re able to achieve ang atong targets, particularly in the timing para makuha nato ang proper timing as we depart from the navy padung sa atong destination sa Pier 1,” Lozada told reporters.

He said the galleon maintained a speed of five knots, or about nine kilometers per hour, to meet the target schedule, departing at 6 a.m. and arriving in time for the 8 a.m. Mass at the Basilica.

Lozada said the dry run also helped identify areas for improvement, including the proper positioning and maneuvering of participating vessels, which will continue to be practiced ahead of the event. He added that several sea marshal vessels from Manila are expected to arrive starting next week to help maintain order at sea.

As of the initial count, around 180 marine vessels have already registered to join the fluvial procession. Lozada said the number is expected to reach or even exceed 350, similar to last year’s turnout.

“We are expecting to reach that same number. Hopefully, dile na kaayo musobra kay medyo daghan na sad ang 350 plus,” he said.

“Hopefully, sa D-Day, dile kaayo daghan mga samok na vessels para kung unsa ka smooth ang pag-maneuver karon ang atong dagan ing-ana pud hopefully,” he added.

To manage the large number of participants, up to 600 personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Navy, and other partner agencies will be deployed aboard at least 20 vessels.

Lozada also warned that unregistered small boats, or “bangkas,” will not be allowed to join the procession and will be issued violations.

“Those watercrafts na mag-join bisa’g wala sila nag-register, we will be issuing violations to them,” he said, adding that registered vessels will be marked with banners for identification.

Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Jules Van Almerez, media liaison of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, said devotees who wish to watch the fluvial procession may do so from the viewing decks of Piers 1 to 5, as allowed by the Cebu Port Authority.

“We also invite ang katung gusto mutan-aw didto sa atong pier side sa atong domestic pier nato… From Pier 1 to 5 ang gi-allow sa Cebu Port [Authority] nga free ra makasulod ang mga tao na gusto mo-witness for the fluvial,” Fr. Almerez said in a separate interview.

He noted that there is a slight chance of rain on January 17, which could affect the fluvial procession, but organizers are hoping for favorable weather.

“We were told nga naa lay slight lang na chance of rain, but we are praying and hoping na unta wala lang. Kay if naa man gud ingon ani, our fluvial procession might be cancelled. But we are hoping unta na nindot lang atong weather, fair weather lang unta,” he said.

In Mandaue City, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) will deploy its Karagatan Cluster and barangay Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) to key coastal areas and wharfs serving as viewing decks, as authorities anticipate large crowds along the shoreline.

CDRRMO head Buddy Allain Ybañez said responders will be strategically positioned in areas such as Pajara Park and Mandani Bay to ensure crowd safety and enable immediate response during the fluvial procession.

Preparations, he said, were discussed in a series of coordination meetings initiated by Cebu City, the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, and the PCG in anticipation of both the fluvial procession and the Traslacion.

“The Coast Guard has already called for meetings, and we also conducted our own coordination with barangay DRRM focal persons so they can provide backup not only along the Traslacion routes but also in fluvial viewing areas,” Ybañez said.

He said multiple agencies will work jointly during the event, including the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Barangay DRRM units, Barangay Public Safety Officers (BPSO), and the PCG.

Ybañez added that barangays and other DRRM clusters wishing to assist are encouraged to coordinate directly with the CDRRMO to avoid overlapping deployments. He said the CDRRMO alone will deploy around 105 responders who will be on standby along the Traslacion route from Barangay Subangdaku to the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Barangay Centro, with flexibility to support fluvial-related operations as needed.

Medical stations will also be set up at the National Shrine of St. Joseph, with barangay ERTs assigned on rotating four-hour shifts to assist devotees, particularly in areas where large crowds are expected.

Authorities are closely monitoring weather conditions and heat-related risks, Ybañez said, noting that fatigue and heat exhaustion are among the most common concerns in previous years. Crowd buildup is expected to begin in the afternoon and continue into the evening, especially with the new schedule.

Ybañez said the extended deployment is also due to the image of the Sto. Niño de Cebu staying overnight in Mandaue City this year, requiring a longer operational plan and 24/7 personnel deployment along the Traslacion route and key activity areas. The image is scheduled to be transferred to Lapu-Lapu City early the following morning, January 16.

Authorities urged the public to observe safety protocols and cooperate with responders to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the Fiesta Señor Traslacion and fluvial procession.