Archival says 2026 Sinulog successful but improvements needed for next year

Local

THE Sinulog 2026 festivities have come to a close.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival described it as “generally successful and manageable” but acknowledged key gaps that need to be addressed to improve crowd safety, comfort, and overall coordination in future festivals.

In his first Sinulog as city mayor and overall chair of the Sinulog Executive Committee, Archival said lessons from this year’s celebration would shape adjustments for Sinulog 2027, particularly in crowd control, sanitation, medical preparedness, and waste management.

“Overall, successful gyud siya,” Archival said in a press conference. “But naa gyud areas nga kinahanglan pa nato i-improve next year.”

He also noted complaints from attendees, particularly during the grand parade and finale, about the lack of trash bins and portable toilets along major routes.

Archival added that some private establishments declined to open their restrooms to the public, despite prior coordination with the city.

“Atong buhaton next year, mangita gyud ta og paagi nga madugangan pa ang atong sanitation facilities,” the mayor said.

He also acknowledged that the city’s drinking stations were insufficient to meet demand, particularly given the sheer volume of people who attended the celebration.

“Ang atong mga drinking stations kay na-overwhelm,” Archival said.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) estimated that around 5.2 million people joined Sinulog 2026, making it one of the largest festival turnouts in recent history.

Another issue flagged by the city involved inadequate ventilation at medical and emergency stations inside the Cebu City Sports Center, where the final performances were held.

Several performers reportedly fainted or suffered fatigue due to heat, physical exhaustion, and lack of food and hydration.

“We will have to find ways to improve, maybe pinaagi og air-conditioned or better-ventilated areas,” Archival said.

The CCDRMO recorded a total of 152 minor injuries during the event, most involving dancers and propsmen.

No serious injuries were reported.

Despite the shortcomings, Archival maintained that Sinulog 2026 was “very successful,” noting improvements in traffic flow, parade coordination, and event scheduling.

Unlike previous years, the grand finale concluded as early as 8 p.m., which officials attributed to smoother operations.

Police and city authorities also reported a generally peaceful celebration, with no riots, fires, or major security incidents recorded throughout the day.

While no major crimes were logged, authorities acknowledged reports of petty theft, particularly involving mobile phones, that circulated on social media after the event.

Archival said garbage generated during the festivities was “manageable” despite the city’s ongoing waste disposal challenges following the closure of the Binaliw landfill.

City officials earlier estimated that around 700 to 1,000 tons of garbage were collected during Sinulog 2026, comparable to previous years despite the record turnout.

The mayor said waste segregation, rapid cleanup operations, and coordination with sanitation teams helped prevent prolonged street congestion and health risks.

With Sinulog 2026 now concluded, Archival said the city would begin post-event assessments to refine planning, logistics, and infrastructure ahead of next year’s celebration.

“Sinulog is always a learning process,” he said. “Ang importante, matag tuig, mas maayo ta kaysa sa miaging tuig.”(TGP)