• Home
  • /
  • News
  • /
  • Cebu City Adds 600 Cops to Assist the Sinulog Festival 2023

Cebu City Adds 600 Cops to Assist the Sinulog Festival 2023

Share this: 

The Cebu Provincial Police Office will be deploying 600 police personnel for the 2023 Sinulog Festival.

CEBU CITY – In preparation for Sinulog 2023, more police personnel will be augmented to assist in the first in-person celebration of the festival in three years. 

Lt. Col. Mark Gifter Sucalit, the deputy director of operations of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO), said that 600 out of the 2,000 police officers from his office will help handle the crowds in the different social and religious events of the festival. 

Sucalit mentioned that more personnel is needed since Sinulog will be a challenge to secure. In previous in-person celebrations, the festival was witnessed by millions of Cebuanos and tourists. 

Police personnel will be stationed in many major areas of the festival, including the downtown area near the Basilica del Sto. Niño and Osmeña Boulevard.

Police Regional Office of Central Visayas (PRO-7) Director Brigadier General Jerry Bearis said that around 2,600 personnel from several law enforcement agencies will be deployed for the festivities. 

These include the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. 

MAJOR EVENTS IN SINULOG

Police will be on full alert during the opening salvo of the Sinulog Festival on January 5, 2023. The festivities start with the traditional penitential Walk with Jesus at dawn. 

Thousands of devotees will join a foot procession from the Fuente Osmeña Rotunda to the Basilica del Sto. Niño. A mass will be held at 5 AM, presided over by Fr. Nelson Zerda. 

January 5 is also the first day of the Novena in honor of the Holy Child, which runs for nine days leading up to the day of the festival. There will be masses throughout the day celebrated at the Basilica.  

The Visperas, which will be celebrated on the 14th, consists of a fluvial parade, where a galleon will be carrying the image of Sto. Niño along the Mactan Channel. This will be followed by a foot procession in the afternoon. 

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will preside over a solemn concelebrated mass on the festival day on January 15. 

THE FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS

The 2023 Sinulog celebration is the first in-person festival in three years, after it was canceled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The past two celebrations showcased performances at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), which were broadcast on social media. 

The 2022 celebration was turned into a fundraiser for the victims of Typhoon Odette, which hit Cebu City on December 16, 2021. The organizers merely showed performances from the previous Sinulog celebrations online to commemorate the festival.  

Now, as Cebu City adapts to the new normal, the Cebu City government has announced the return of the festival, albeit with a few changes.  

Cebuanos and tourists can look forward to the Grand Parade, but at a different venue – Cebu South Road Properties.

Initial reports claim that the ritual showdown will now be performed in the parking lot of IL Corso Lifestyle Malls. 

Sinulog sa Kabataan will push through on January 8, 2023 at the CCSC. The usual two-day celebration will be staged in one, as its two events, the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan and Dakbayan will be merged into one. 

SOURCES: 

Sunstar Cebu

Philippine News Agency

Share this: 

Other posts

Man carrying a backpack of travel essentials waiting to cross the street in Cebu City

10 Convenient Travel Essentials to Bring When Going to Cebu

Your travel essentials are there to ensure a safe and convenient trip. Everyone loves a quick getaway, but visiting another country can be daunting. But with the right preparation, the whole experience can be a breeze. Having the right travel essentials at your disposal can give you the peace of mind you need. Knowing what

Read More
Two men riding a habal-habal in Cebu

How Regulating Habal-Habal Drivers Can Help Cebuanos

The Cebu City government may finally regulate the habal-habal transportation service. In Cebu, you MUST know about the local motorcycle taxis called habal-habal. This informal form of public transportation in the Philippines is commonly used in rural towns and far-flung areas with few public transport options. This consists of riders carrying passengers on the back

Read More
Collage of famous Cebuano dishes

Irresistible Cebuano Dishes You Should Try at Least Once

Of all the scrumptious Filipino dishes in the Philippines, which ones scream Cebuano? The Queen City of the South is a haven for Filipino restaurants, but it may be difficult to distinguish which dish or delicacy is originally from Cebu. The island is one of the oldest settlements in the country and was the birthplace

Read More
Dancers and participants performing at the Bon Odori Festival

The Return of Bon Odori: Exploring Rich Japanese Culture

The Bon Odori Festival is a cultural exchange between Cebu and Japan. As we all know, Japan has a rich history and culture. This Asian powerhouse is filled with iconic dishes, world-renowned tourist spots, and art forms that have taken over pop culture. The Land of the Rising Sun also has one of the oldest

Read More
A spacious public parking lot

Why More Public Parking Spaces are Essential in Cebu City

Cebu City will soon have better venues for public parking. For many Cebuanos, it’s about time that more public parking spaces were made available in the different areas of Cebu City.  Cebu City officials have plans to set up public parking buildings in urbanized areas like downtown Cebu, as the city council amended its zoning

Read More
Wide shot of the MCIA, Asia's best airport

Routes 2023 Award: MCIA is Asia’s Best Airport

Mactan Cebu International Airport garnered another design award in 2023. CEBU, Philippines – The Mactan-Cebu International Airport was hailed Asia’s best under the “5 Million-Passenger Category” during the Routes Asia Award. MCIA and GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) representatives received the award during the awarding ceremony held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on February 15, 2023. 

Read More

Best of Cebu Videos

Cebu Insights Logo

Seeking to learn more about Cebuano culture, or wanting to know what to do once you arrive, Cebu Insights is the travel guide for you in Cebu!

Contact Us

How to be Featured

Do you want to be featured on our blogs and social media platforms? Cebu Insights is open to writing insightful articles and videos about your business FOR FREE!

Visit the Cenix Web Development Office on the 3rd Floor of the 82 Vibo Center, North Escario Street, Cebu City, and tell us about your newly opened attraction!

You can also leave us an email at cebutravelinsights@gmail.com or message us on any of our social media platforms.

Salamat!

Scroll to Top
×
Weather Forecast
Exchange Currency
Cebu City
84°
Thunder
5:22 am6:04 pm PST
Feels like: 93°F
Wind: 9mph W
Humidity: 82%
Pressure: 29.83"Hg
UV index: 2

Exchange Rate USD: Wed, 7 Jun.