Pasigarbo sa Sugbo today Kristin De Dios, Jonnavie Andrew Matthew Ortoño

CEBU, Philippines — At least 20,000 spectators are expected to flock to the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) today, as the entire Cebu province celebrates this year’s Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

"We are expecting around almost 20,000 spectators tomorrow. That's a very big number. As early as 6 a.m. as per experience, naa na g'yud mag linya para makasulod sa Cebu City Sports Center," said Cebu Provincial Board Member Andrei "Red" Duterte in an interview yesterday.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Police Office Acting City Director Police Colonel Antonietto Y. Cañete said in a text message that two shifts will be implemented for policemen securing the Pasigarbo to allow them breaks and meal times.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, during the final coordination meeting last Friday, said that the Capitol will not interfere with the strict security measures enforced by the police to ensure the event remains orderly.

As agreed during the meeting, spectators will be directed to two separate lanes at the entrance — one for those with wristbands and another for those without.

Garcia recommended that additional officers be stationed at the entrance and throughout the area to effectively manage and check the spectators.

“The PNP would have the time to double check pud while they line outside the entrance. So that the time they are allowed is to segregate nalang gud,” the governor said during the meeting.

Duterte saidt that even though viewing and entry is free, the wristbands the Capitol has been distributing are limited and that they were distributed to local government units, including Cebu City.

The Board Member, who heads the Cebu Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee on tourism, said that spectators who do not have wristbands can still enter the CCSC. They, however, can no longer avail of seats at the bleachers as it will be reserved for those who have secured wristbands.

"For those who nga walay wristbands, yes, they can enter pero first come, first served. For those nga walay wristband nga makasulod, dili lang gyud mo makasaka sa bleachers kay ang bleachers sa grandstand are reserved for those who have wristbands," Duterte added.

Duterte said that those spectators who will be placed at the back of the stage can still witness the show through LED screens provided.

"We have a food park at the back of the stage where you can standby and support our local vendors throughout the province. Naa tay mini-food park luyo sa stage as well as LED wall nga pwede sila didto mutan-aw likod sa stage," he said.

A "one entrance, one exit" policy would also be implemented for contingents at the CCSC, with police on-site setting up a system to efficiently manage the thousands of spectators.

At 2 p.m. today, the street dancing will start from the Capitol, traversing Osmen~a Blvd. and right to R. Landon Extension for the CCSC, where the ritual showdown will start at 6 p.m.

Pasigarbo sa Sugbo is dubbed as “the festival of all festivals,” as the different local festivals of the 51 Cebu towns and cities will come together and compete. The event is the highlight of Cebu Province’s month-long celebration of its 455th founding anniversary.

As reported, Cebu City is participating as a guest contingent for Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, showcasing Sinulog Festival that would be performed by the Banauan Cultural Group of Brgy. Guadalupe. — (FREEMAN)