Hundreds of devotees and spectators were left disappointed early Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, after the much-anticipated seaborne procession for the Feast of the Santo Niño did not pass under the first Mactan-Mandaue bridge in Cebu.
Early Morning Wait Ends in Disappointment
According to Police Master Sergeant Richievel Arabis of the Maritime Group Operations PNCO, an estimated 1,000 people gathered under the bridge, expecting to witness the galley carrying the revered image pass beneath it as it had in years past. Eyewitnesses to SunStar Cebu confirmed the vessel did not follow the traditional route used in 2024 and previous years.
Janeth Augusto, a balikbayan from Canada, shared her frustration. She had arrived at the location as early as 5 a.m. to witness the fluvial procession, only to leave empty-handed. She noted this was supposed to be her first time participating again in the event after a long period of living abroad.
Joy Agbay, a resident of Barangay Basak, expressed similar sentiments, stating she and her family arrived at the site at 4 a.m. She felt their early wake-up call was wasted as the procession never came. The unexpected change prompted many in the crowd to demand an explanation from authorities.
Coast Guard Cites Safety Concerns for Route Change
The Philippine Coast Guard Central Visayas (PCG) provided clarity on the situation. In a phone interview with SunStar Cebu on Saturday, Coast Guard Station Central Cebu Commander Captain Jerome Lozada explained that the galley has not passed under the first bridge since 2024 due to safety and navigation issues.
Instead of navigating the tight space under the bridge, the vessel now performs a U-turn near the Muelle Osmeña pier in Barangay Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City. It then continues its journey toward Mandani Bay in Mandaue City before proceeding to the Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX).
Captain Lozada emphasized that the area under the first bridge has become too congested, making it impractical and unsafe for the larger vessels now used as galleys in the procession. "Considering our galley now uses larger vessels, it would not be practical in terms of safety. What if something happens if it enters under the first bridge?" Lozada stated.
No Formal Notice for Traditional Route
The commander further clarified that despite this being the 460th fluvial procession, the route has remained the same for the past two years, and no formal complaint had been received by the PCG regarding the change until this public disappointment.
The incident highlights the challenge of balancing long-held traditions with evolving safety protocols for large-scale public and religious events in the Philippines.
