Rama wants Sinulog Grand Parade route transferred to NRA next year

Suspended Mayor Michael Rama called for a press conference Thursday morning to share his plans about transferring the route of the grand parade to the North Reclamation Area starting next year. (CDN PHOTO/JOSE SANTINO S. BUNACHITA)

Suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants the Sinulog Grand Parade route to be transferred to the North Reclamation Area (NRA) starting next year to decongest Osmeña Boulevard and General Maxilom Avenue in Cebu City where street parties are usually held during the festivity.

Rama, who sits as chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Inc., said he will ask the Cebu Contractors Association (CCA) to build a temporary grandstand in the city-owned block 27 in the North Reclamation Area where the contingents will perform their final dance.

The CCA currently provides bleachers on the sidewalks along the parade route.

Block 27 is located across the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) office which Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) used to park impounded vehicles.

The grandstand, he said, should accommodate up to 50,000 people, three times more than the capacity of the Cebu City Sports Center.

The sports center, where the Sinulog competitions are held for many years now, can only hold up to 15,000 people.

After three years, Rama said the Sinulog Grand Parade route will be moved to the South Road Properties (SRP).

“It won’t be permanent. It will only be for three years. After which, hoping we can transfer to SRP. Now, SRP can’t be an option yet,” he told reporters.

Rama said he will have to conduct more focus group discussions to finalize the plans and how they will go about it