Crowd control, limited funds are top Sinulog concerns

Crowd control and the need to source more funds for the Sinulog are the top two concerns of organizers as Cebu City wrapped up its biggest festival and begins preparing for the next one.

“There is no perfect organization. We learn a lot of things. What is more important is that we improve,” said Ricky Ballesteros, at yesterday’s post-event assessment.

Ballesteros, Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director, said next year they need to put uniformed security personnel in chokepoints of the parade route.

He said he would also ask dance contingents to bring ropes and set up a cordon to protect their performers against unruly crowds of spectators.

A report by the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) showed there were 63 traffic accidents and 113 towed or impounded vehicles on Jan. 19 to 20 or slightly higher than last year.

Joy Tumulak, Citom operations head, said last year there were only 40 or more impounded motorcycles “but this year there were much more”.

Most vehicles were caught during the late night to dawn road clearing operation against illegally parked vehicles before the Sto. Nino solemn procession on Saturday and the grand parade on Sunday.

Ballesteros said the foundation had to make ends meet this year after some of their usual donors begged off from giving assistance.
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), for example, used to shoulder the fireworks display worth P300,000.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) also used to give P300,000 to P400,000 per year.

About 600 green section tickets at the Cebu City Sports Center grandstand were left unsold.
“But we raised enough from sponsorships. We are a non-stock, non-profit group. But basing on what we spent, we are still safe,” Ballesteros said.

The foundation usually spends P40 million for the annual Sinulog festivities.

He said the production group is already tossing ideas for the next 2015 Sinulog.
“We do not stop thinking, innovating. Every time we meet, we talk of plans for what happens next,” said Ballesteros.

Ballesteros acknowledged the complaint of Lordino Vergara, chairman of the street dancing category judges, who said this was one of the most disorderly Sinulog crowds he has seen in the annual parade.

Ballesteros said a friend also called his attention to improve crowd control at Osmeña Boulevard with a security cordon to protect the dancers and that the drinking of revellers and congestion could result in chaos.

Police estimated there were nearly three million spectators along the six-kilometer Sinulog carousel route and sports complex.

Ballesteros said the crowd could have been bigger if not for the Sinulog band concert at the South Road Properties (SRP). Ballesteros also said they are working to collect the P1.5 million pledged by the Cebu provincial government.

He said additional requirements were given for the accreditation of non-government organizations (NGOs) and groups like the Sinulog Foundation that can avail of the province’s assistance due to the change of leadership.

Ballesteros said they will submit a fund utilization report after they collect the assistance./With Correspondent Jose Santino S. Bunachita