MOTORISTS ADVISED: Expect heavy traffic for Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan

Local

MOTORISTS should expect traffic buildup and temporary road closures on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 10, as dancing and brass band contingents parade for the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan and brass band competitions in Cebu City.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, spokesperson of Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI), said road closures will begin as early as 2 p.m. to give way to the parade routes, with performances starting at 2:30 p.m.

Dancing contingents will march from the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño toward the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), while brass band contingents will start from the Cebu Provincial Capitol and converge at the CCSC, where the competitions will be held.

Tumulak said traffic congestion is expected along major routes, particularly Osmeña Boulevard and P. del Rosario Street, which will be temporarily closed to vehicles as the contingents pass through.

“There will be traffic buildup once the parade starts, but this will ease once the contingents enter the sports center and normal traffic flow resumes,” Tumulak said.

He added that while P. del Rosario and N. Bacalso Avenue are key thoroughfares, intermittent closures will be implemented on a “come-and-go” basis to allow the parade to pass, rather than full-day shutdowns.

The Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan competition, which involves 17 contingents, is expected to end between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tumulak said the contingents will already be pre-judged, but those who are willing may still perform again during the Sinulog Grand Parade, regardless of their ranking.

For Sinulog 2026, a total of 40 contingents are expected to participate in the grand parade—37 competing groups and three guest contingents.

Tumulak also reiterated that float participation is now limited strictly to official sponsors, with at least 20 floats already registered.

“In previous years, anyone could join with a float. Now, floats are part of the sponsorship package,” he said.

“Only sponsors are allowed, and we no longer accept floats meant solely for product publicity, which was one of the causes of delays in the past," Tumulak added.

Sponsorship packages for floats range from P750,000 to P1 million.

On street parties, Tumulak said only one has so far been approved—the Vibo Place event along Escario Street—while two other proposals remain pending due to incomplete emergency plans and the lack of approval from the Philippine National Police.

He said authorities are being stricter this year, particularly in the uptown areas, to ensure public safety.

Meanwhile, Tumulak announced that bleachers for Sinulog events will be fully open to the public, reversing the previous setup where a portion was reserved for private owners.

“This time, 100 percent of the bleachers will be for the public, with priority given to vulnerable sectors,” he said.

City officials urged motorists to plan their trips ahead, avoid affected routes if possible, and follow traffic advisories and rerouting schemes that will be implemented throughout the afternoon.(TGP)