CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has remained firm on his stand that the South Road Properties (SRP) would still be the venue for the Sinulog 2025, which he dubbed as "Sinulog sa Sugbo World, One Cebu Still".
This year’s Sinulog is named “Sinulog sa Sugbo Philippines 2024, One Cebu Still”.
In a press conference at City Hall, Rama said that the venue for Sinulog 2025 would still be at the SRP grounds for safety consideration.
This, as the Cebu City Government and the Sinulog Foundation Inc. also conducted yesterday a “debriefing” to tackle areas that may need improvement so both can better prepare for Sinulog 2025.
"Yes (it would still be at the SRP). Unless you have anything that you would wish where four million people will be accommodated. Do you have any idea? You don't have that idea,” he said.
The Cebu City Police Office has estimated that the overall crowd that went to the SRP to witness the Sinulog grand parade reached three million people.
The mayor said that to accommodate such number in the city proper, “only roads will be opened, all establishments are closed".
He said it is no longer viable to return to the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) as a Sinulog venue, as it has become too small and the roads are now “too narrow" to accommodate such a huge number of people.
Fears of a stampede occurring prompted Rama to have the Sinulog held at the SRP, saying yesterday that it is the “most feasible area”.
He said he has envisioned a lot for the SRP to make it more suitable.
During the awarding ceremony Monday night, Rama credited the “success” of the Sinulog to the Holy Child, as he also expressed his gratitude to all who made that possible.
"We are one. Yes, you can never please everybody, you cannot, but if you embrace Sr. Sto. Niño…(the) Sinulog Foundation, contingents, winners, we embrace our Sr. Sto. Niño, then no matter what, no matter how big the challenges are, the threats, who can be against God?" he said.
The mayor said that if not for the efforts of all, the Sinulog would not have gone the way it did.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart," he said. — (FREEMAN)