Cebu City braces for 4-5 million Sinulog visitors

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CEBU City is preparing for an estimated four to five million visitors for the Fiesta Señor and Sinulog Grand Parade on Jan. 18.

Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. disclosed the projected turnout during a send-off ceremony for security and emergency personnel on Monday, Jan. 5, saying the city is ready to manage the expected influx of devotees and tourists.

He assured the public that communication services will remain uninterrupted throughout the festivities, with no signal shutdown planned during the grand parade to ensure smooth coordination, particularly for emergency response.

Addressing uniformed personnel, Archival described them as the “backbone of the celebration,” highlighting their role in maintaining public order, controlling crowds, and responding swiftly to emergencies during peak festival activities.

Nearly 7,000 security and emergency personnel will be deployed across the city, covering procession routes, parade grounds, transport terminals, and other major convergence areas.

The deployment includes members of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Air Force (PAF), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), Department of Health (DOH), and various civilian volunteers tasked with security, traffic management, and emergency response.

Cebu City has been placed under blue alert, signaling heightened monitoring by government agencies in preparation for Sinulog 2026.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, member of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) executive committee said the city’s preparations are already 70 percent complete, with remaining work focusing on technical and operational details.

The religious and cultural aspects of the festival are also set. The Fiesta Señor, honoring the Santo Niño, will formally begin with the Walk with Jesus procession on Jan. 8, which will also mark the start of the novena masses leading up to the fiesta day on Jan. 18.

The Sinulog Grand Parade itself will kick off at 8 a.m. on Jan. 18.

Tumulak confirmed that 40 contingents, including guest performers, are participating in this year’s festival.(TGP)