WITH the onset of the Sinulog 2018, the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday announced that the surroundings of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño will be kept free of any obstructions from January 11 at the start of novena masses until the feast of the Santo Niño de Cebu on Sunday, January 21.
“There will be only one flow of pedestrians attending the novena Masses,” said Police Regional Office (PRO-7) Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, referring to their plan to have only one entrance and one exit for churchgoers.
Unlike in previous years, devotees and vendors will not be allowed to camp out or sleep on sidewalks and streets around the basilica.
“We will make sure that all vendors are banned in the area. You will not see any obstructions there,” Espino said.
Espino spoke during the first Sinulog 2018 inter-agency coordination meeting held Friday, which was attended by PNP officials, representatives of the Cebu City government and Augustinian priests, caretakers of the Santo Niño basilica.
According to Espino, Cebu City’s demolition team, Probe (Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement), will take the lead in clearing the streets and will be assisted by PNP.
Probe head Raquel Arce said they will immediately inform vendors around the basilica.
There are at least 50 “regulated” vendors or those with permits from the city with stalls near the church. Most of them sell religious items and local delicacies.
Arce assured that the vendors will be relocated to other areas for the meantime.
Streets surrounding the basilica will also be closed to traffic to avoid congestion in the area.
“We can see the smooth flow of people because there will be clear drop off and pick up areas,” said Rev. Fr. Aladdin Luzon, OSA, head of the Fiesta Señor 2018 peace and order committee.