Disaster response authorities in Mandaue City are scaling up their safety and medical preparations as thousands of devotees are predicted to participate in the upcoming religious activities in January 2026.
Multi-Agency Coordination for Major Events
According to Buddy Allain Ybañez, head of the Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MCDRRMO), the office has been holding a series of coordination meetings to prepare for the Traslacion on January 15-16 and the seaborne procession on January 17, 2026. These meetings involve key partners like the Cebu City Government, the Basilica del Santo Niño, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO).
Ybañez emphasized that ensuring safety and order extends beyond police work, requiring the involvement of several agencies. The MCDRRMO also convened with barangay disaster risk reduction and management focal persons on Wednesday afternoon, January 7, to integrate local responders into the plan.
Extended Deployment and Route Security
This year's operational strategy has been adjusted due to a change in the Traslacion schedule. Unlike previous years where the Santo Niño image was transported to Lapu-Lapu City by midnight, the image will remain in Mandaue overnight on January 15. A mass is scheduled for 9 a.m., with the Traslacion starting at 5 a.m. the following day.
"Because of the extended schedule, deployment and operational plans will span a longer period," Ybañez explained. This necessitates additional support from barangay personnel. The operation will feature round-the-clock deployment along the entire route from Barangay Subangdaku to the National Shrine of St. Joseph, with personnel starting as early as 6 a.m. and remaining on duty for 24 hours.
In terms of manpower, the MCDRRMO will field approximately 105 responders along the route. Barangay teams will act as backup along the procession path and in designated viewing areas for the seaborne event. Medical stations will be established at the National Shrine of St. Joseph, where the largest crowds are anticipated. MCDRRMO personnel, medical teams, and barangay responders will conduct safety rounds every 30 minutes.
Primary Concern: Extreme Heat and Crowds
Ybañez identified extreme heat as the primary safety concern, recalling that several devotees collapsed during the hottest hours of the previous year's event. "Our main concern, just like last year, is the heat. Many people fainted due to extreme heat, especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. We really need to be cautious," he stated.
Crowd numbers are expected to swell in the late afternoon and evening, with even more people gathering overnight ahead of the early morning Traslacion from Mandaue City to Lapu-Lapu City. The comprehensive planning aims to manage these large gatherings and prevent heat-related medical incidents effectively.
