Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival called his first Sinulog as chief executive a success, even as he acknowledged areas for improvement after the festival drew a record-breaking crowd.
The Sinulog Grand Parade and finale concluded on Sunday, January 18, marking the end of festivities that saw millions of devotees and revelers converge in the city.
In the aftermath, city officials assessed the event’s strengths and weaknesses, following reports from the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) that this year’s turnout was the largest in recent history.
Archival said complaints from participants mostly involved sanitation, hydration, and medical support along the parade route.
Many highlighted the lack of trash bins and public restrooms, a problem compounded by private establishments denying access despite prior city requests.
“Atong buhaton next year, we will find ways to increase public restrooms,” Archival said, emphasizing that the city will expand facilities in future Sinulog celebrations.
The mayor also acknowledged that the city’s drinking stations were overwhelmed by the unprecedented crowd.
“Ang atong mga drinking station or fountain kay na-overwhelm,” he said, noting that attendance exceeded projections.
According to the CCDRRMO, around 5.2 million people joined this year’s Sinulog, marking the highest turnout on record.
Concerns were also raised about medical and emergency stations inside the Cebu City Sports Center, where the Sinulog Grand Ritual Showdown was held.
Several performers reportedly fainted or suffered extreme fatigue due to heat, physical strain, and limited access to food and water.
“We will have to find ways to improve, maybe [installing] air-conditioned areas to add ventilation,” Archival said, stressing that performer safety will be a priority going forward.
The CCDRRMO recorded 152 minor injuries during the celebration, mostly involving dancers and propsmen, with no serious injuries or fatalities reported.
Despite these gaps, Archival noted improvements in crowd control and program flow.
Long-standing congestion and delay issues were largely resolved, with the finale ending around 8 p.m.—earlier than in previous years—thanks to smoother parade movement and tighter scheduling.
Authorities also described the event as generally safe and peaceful, with no reports of riots, fires, or major incidents, though social media posts noted some petty thefts, primarily of mobile phones.
Archival said the city government will review all post-Sinulog assessments to refine plans for next year, aiming to maintain gains in safety and crowd management while addressing shortcomings revealed by this historic turnout. (LLP)
