Parties will not be allowed along the Sinulog parade route or Escario St
Cebu City Hall will be strictly implementing its no-street-party zone policy this weekend.
Violators, according to Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) head Nagiel Bañacia, run the risk of having their business permits revoked by City Hall.
“The mayor (Tomas Osmeña) was very emphatic and we got instructions. We have to document all violators and take videos. And they will be dealt with accordingly after Sinulog,” he said.
The CCDRRMC earlier passed a resolution banning street parties within 300 meters from the solemn procession and grand parade routes on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Business establishments within the route are prohibited from using parking spaces for parties.
They are also not allowed to put up additional tables outside their premises since this will be in violation of the scope of their business permits.
Bañacia said the CCDRRMO and the city legal office will go after these violators after the Sinulog weekend and may have their business permits canceled by City Hall.
Aside from the 300-meter zone, Bañacia said parties are also not allowed within Escario St. “Escario St. is the only way we can use in the uptown area for free-flowing traffic. Based on previous experiences and records of the police, heavy traffic were experienced along this area if there are activities after Sinulog,” he said.
City Hall, through the special mayor’s permit section of the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO), has been denying permit applications from establishments and party organizers found in violation of the resolution.
Bañacia warned organizers of Hyper Wonderland, which is scheduled on Sunday at the Axis Entertainment Avenue at the Vibo Place in Escario St., that they have not been allowed to hold their activity.
“We are also giving this warning to Vibo. Please don’t allow this organizer to hold this music festival. Otherwise, the city will run after you after Sinulog,” he said.
A beatboxing event at Mango Square along Gen. Maxilom Ave. has been denied a permit by City Hall since it is within the parade route.
The Plus63 Music and Arts Festival scheduled on Saturday and Sunday at the Cebu Business Park has also been advised not to push through with their activity since they are well within the 300-meter zone.
According to Claire Cabalda, head of the special mayor’s permit section of the CTO, organizers of Plus63 are asking the city to reconsider since they are farther from the parade route than others.
They are expected to meet with Bañacia today.
Meanwhile, Sinulog Invasion was allowed to push through with their event on Sunday after agreeing to move their venue to the South Road Properties from the Sacred Heart School-Jesuit Gym in Mango Ave.
“We make an apology for these inconveniences. This is for the good of everyone. This is not just for the partygoers but for everyone,” Bañacia added.