Plan B ready for sea, foot procession

Mayor Rama not worried: ‘Little miracles happen’

Boats and bancas jostle for position nearest the ‘galleon’ bearing the Sto. Nino image during the 2012 fluvial procession. Will it be smooth sailing this Saturday? (CDN FILE PHOTO)

If an approaching storm endangers sea travel, the annual Sto. Nino fluvial procession on Saturday morning will be cancelled.

And if too much water floods the streets, the traditional solemn foot procession in Cebu city, will follow a different route.

Cebu Coastguard officials announced the possibility of aborting the sea procession as Pagasa monitored the path of tropical storm “Mekkhala” which was due to enter the country last night or this morning.

There’s a Plan B.

If sailing down the Mactan Channel is scrapped, the image of the Sto. Niño and  Our Lady of Guadalupe, will be brought back to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño on foot.

“Every year we worry about the weather but we also find that little miracles unfold,” said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, overall Sinulog chariman.

He recalled past occasions, when a downpour in the morning would clear up just in time for the sea procession or lighten up enough for Sinulog dancers to continue their street performances.

Pagasa Visayas director Oscar Tabada said he believes the water will be calm enough for a  fluvial procession because the Mactan Channel is protected on each side by mainland Cebu and Mactan Island.

The Coastguard, which has the last say in declaring whether conditions, will conduct a dry run of the fluvial procession route at 6 a.m. today with basilica rector Fr. Jonas Mejares aboard.

“We should not compromise the safety of vessels or the people pag hindi talaga kaya,” said Cebu District Commander Rodulfo Villajuan, in explaining Plan B scenarios.

Today, the religious icons will be brought in a motorcade as part of the ritual “traslacion” to the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City for an overnight vigil.

Saturday afternoon, the vesperas of the Sto. Niño religious feast, is highlighted by the solemn foot procession by hundreds of thousands of devotees.

Two alternative routes were identified in case rainwater  floods the original procession route through   Osmeña Boulevard, General Maxilom Avenue, MJ Cuenco and D. Jakosalem Streets.

A statement from the Cebu City the Public Information Office said two shorter paths can be used.

The first one would pass by T. Padilla Street, Osmeña Boulevard, Legaspi Extension and back to the basilica.

A second alternative would use one side of the Lorega Public Market Road back to the basilica.

The tropical depression was expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) yesterday and bring rains and strong winds until the weekend.

For the dry run today, the vessel MY San Antonio de Sibulan will traverse the 5.5 nautical mile route from Mandaue city to Cebu City down the Mactan Channel.

The vessel owned by the family of Ernesto Ouano has been repainted and its engined tuned up.

Ship captain Romulo Ludia said about 25 individuals will board the 200-capacity passenger vessel that will carry the glass-encased images of the Sto. Nino and the Virgin Mary.

It will sail to Pier 1 at a speed of 6 knots which is equivalent to 40 kph to 50 kph if traveling on land.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 30 vessels registered for the activity, including five motor bancas and 13 small boats.

Most boat owners usually sign up just before the Friday afternoon deadline or show up directly at the activity.

A total of 200 vessels joined the 2014 fluvial procession but only 95 vessels and banca actually registered.

The surplus poses a challenge to sea marshals who regulate the traffic while riding on board jet skis and speed boats.

Villaluja said they see to it that wherever the “galleon” carrying the Sto. Nino is sailing would be surrounded by sea marshals.

Boat owners have to secure a special permit from the Maritime Industry Authority before the can register with the Coastguard for the event.

On Jan. 7, the fluvial procession starts at the Ouano Wharf at exactly 6 a.m.

Ports in north Cebu and the Mactan Channel would be closed from 5 a.m. To 9 a.m. To give way to the procession.

The lead boat will be a Diesel Fast 318.