Traffic to worsen as major roads to be closed for Sinulog

Local

IF you think Cebu traffic is bad now, wait until Sinulog 2026. Major roads will be closed for up to two weeks as the city braces for the country’s grandest fiesta.

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) has laid out its proposed road closure plan, which runs from January 5 to 18, 2026, in time for the festival’s buildup and grand parade.

The proposal, submitted to Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña and the Traffic Management Coordination Board (TMCB), was prepared in line with a City Council resolution directing the agency to ready traffic rerouting measures.

Several major arteries, including parts of Osmeña Boulevard, D. Jakosalem Street, P. Burgos Street, Lapu-Lapu Street, Zamora Street, and Magallanes Street, will be off-limits to motorists for 14 days. The extended closure is meant to give way to stage construction, props, and other pre-festival preparations.

On January 18, Sinulog parade day, closures will begin as early as 2:00 a.m. for float assembly and preparations. By 5:00 a.m., the entire parade route will be sealed, affecting Osmeña Boulevard, P. del Rosario Street, Imus Avenue, General Maxilom Avenue, B. Rodriguez Street, N. Bacalso Avenue, and other connecting roads.

This effectively shuts down Cebu’s main thoroughfares from downtown to uptown as hundreds of thousands of devotees, dancers, and tourists are expected to fill the streets.

The plan, prepared by CCTO’s Public Mass Transportation Division and endorsed by Pastor Alcover II, is now with the TMCB for discussion and approval.

“In this connection, I would like to endorse this road closure report to the TMC Board for discussion and approval,” Alcover said.

For 2026, the city is anticipating an even bigger crowd as Sinulog returns to its traditional route and venue at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC). This is the second year the festival is being held at this venue after Sinulog was held at the South Road Properties (SRP).

Alternative routes and traffic advisories will be announced later this year once the plan is finalized.(TGP)