Preparations for 2026 Sinulog underway

Local

WITH still five months to go before the Sinulog Festival, Cebu City has set its preparations in motion early.

The city has rolled out a wide-ranging plan to ensure a safer, more organized, and all-inclusive Sinulog 2026.

City Councilor Dave Tumulak, the majority floor leader of the City Council and also chairman of the disaster response committee, has filed ten resolutions to jumpstart coordination across government departments, national agencies, and private stakeholders.

The goal, he explained, is to avoid the logistical issues that marred past celebrations and elevate next year’s festival to a new standard of safety and participation.

“The Sinulog is not just for us here in Cebu—it’s for the many who visit and take part in our tradition. That’s why we’re starting this early,” Tumulak said.

The City Council approved the set of resolutions without objection. Among the key actions are road closures in effect from January 5 to 18, covering major downtown streets such as Osmeña Boulevard, D. Jakosalem Street, and Magallanes Street.

A 100-meter no-parking zone around the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño will also be enforced throughout this period. Additionally, the Cebu South Bus Terminal will temporarily cease operations on January 18, with buses rerouted to South Road Properties (SRP) starting at 3 a.m. on January 19 to help manage the crowds during the Grand Parade.

A no-fly zone is also being proposed for January 17 and 18, covering the Sinulog processional routes and exempting only security drones.

The Department of Public Works and Highways-Central Visayas is being asked to inspect and fix road defects, while allowing Sinulog banners on skywalks starting December 1, 2025, until January 20, 2026.

Organizers are also being required to submit detailed event and crowd safety plans by December 1, ensuring coordination with the city’s disaster response, police, and traffic management offices.

For Tumulak, fixing the crowd control problems from Sinulog 2024 is non-negotiable. A city assessment blamed a lack of coordination and poor logistics planning for the chaos that year, lessons the current administration is now working to address.

Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. has also tasked each city councilor to take a direct role in planning and overseeing various aspects of the event.

Beyond logistics, Tumulak hinted at the revival of community-based activities such as “Niño: Bisita sa Barangay” and potential outreach programs for the Cebu City Jail, echoing efforts from past editions of the festival.

The city is also tapping the Cebu Contractors Association to set up mobile bleachers for the parade and is asking commercial establishments to open their comfort rooms to the public, free or for a minimal fee, from January 18 to 20.

While the Osmeña Boulevard stretch remains the preferred route for the Grand Parade, Tumulak said the city is coordinating closely with the Department of Transportation to prevent clashes with the scheduled pilot testing of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit system.

Planning meetings with the Sinulog Executive Committee and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño is set to iron out religious and cultural events tied to Fiesta Señor.

With over half a million expected attendees, Cebu City is taking no chances. This time, City Hall wants to make sure Sinulog 2026 sets a new bar for safety, order, and collaboration.

The Sinulog Festival, held every third Sunday of January, remains Cebu’s biggest tourism and religious event.(TGP)