Coast Guard demands fluvial parade permit

CEBU, Philippines – Five days to the #Sinulog2016 fluvial procession, organizers are caught off guard with the announce-ment of the Philippine Coast Guard-Cebu, demanding for the activity’s permit — or “there will be no parade.”

In a press conference yesterday at the Mandaue City Treasurer’s Conference Room, Philippine Coast Guard-Cebu Commander Agapito Bibat told fluvial parade organizers to get the necessary permit from them first.

“The organizing committee should apply for a permit with the Coast Guard; it’s in our memorandum circular Hopefully, they can comply with it,” Bibat said.

Though the circular was issued in 2014, Bibat said it will only be implemented this year as he just assumed as head of PCG-Cebu last October.

During Saturday’s scheduled fluvial parade, the image of Sr. Santo Niño is brought back to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño onboard a galleon that will cruise the Mactan Channel from the Ouano Wharf in Mandaue City to the Cebu City Pier 1.

Basilica’s representative at the conference yesterday, lawyer Paulino Yarao, said it is the fluvial parade organizing committee, in this case Mandaue, which is supposed to take care of all the necessaries like the permits for the occasion.

Yarao assured that basilica rector Jonas Mejares will sign the documents needed for the activity.

He added that this is the first time the fluvial parade is asked a permit.

“It’s the committee that prepares the documents for Fr. Jonas Merajes to sign. In the past years, (there was) no such permit because there was no such requirement, and Coast Guard was part of the committee,” he said.

Mildred Simolde of Mandaue City Sto. Niño Association Inc. (MCSNAI), the organizing committee, considered this a “new requirement” but assured that they will comply with it.

MCSNAI is a church-based organization in Mandaue chosen to take charge of the Sinulog-related events like the procession of the Sto. Niño to the Ouano Wharf before it is carried for the fluvial parade.

Meanwhile, Bibat also reminded organizers to have the galleon that will ferry the image of the Holy Child checked by the Maritime Industry Authority for its seaworthiness.

He said they will deploy at least 94 marshals or one for every participating boat if possible to ensure that their regulations are met.

These marshals, he added, will also be issuing violation receipts to boats found violating their guidelines. He said they are expecting around 400 participating boats which are required to register with them by January 14.

In a letter to lawyer Pat Acabodillo, executive committee of the fluvial procession, Bibat laid down the guidelines to the joining boats.

He strongly warned against overloading, taking liquors, firecrackers, firearms, or prohibited drugs onboard or even flying balloons.

He also said there should be adequate lifejackets for all passengers and no children aged 12 years old and below should be allowed onboard.

Bibat said violations will be adjudicated by MARINA, which will impose penalties depending on the gravity of the violation. (FREEMAN)