Over 200 boats escort the MV Sto Nino (white vessel) down the Mactan Channel for the early morning fluvial procession in this January 2016 photo. | CDN FILE PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO
CEBU CITY, Philippines — There was no need to temporarily shutdown mobile phone signals during the 458th Fiesta Señor and One Cebu Island Sinulog celebration this weekend, according to Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera.
Doing so is expected to cause more harm than good, he added.
“It’s doing more disservice, though we are thankful for PRO 7 for augmenting police force to our city during the Sinulog. We hope that they will reconsider and take into account the locals’ sentiment or the LGUs stand on the matter,” Garganera said in an interview on Tuesday, Jan. 10.
Garganera said many would rely on their mobile phones on these days to monitor updates of the Fluvial Procession and the Solemn Procession on Saturday and the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday while they also attend to their various activities, most of which would require connectivity.
“Locals prefer to stay at home and give priorities to our guest and tourist. So, if they instead order food deliveries because of traffic, so they have to wait [until] ma lift nalang ang jam? After the pandemic, things change and cel signal are vital in our daily activities,” he said.
Signal shutdown is also expected to hurt business operations.
“Daghan negosyo maapektaran kay dependent na sa network connection sama anang GCash , Paymaya, etc.,” Garganera added.
The National Telecommunications Commission has already given its consent for the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) the implement a temporary signal shutdown this weekend in the neighboring cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu where Fiesta Señor-related activities and the Sinulog Festival are set to take place.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has already expressed his opposition to the plan.
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