Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. has laid down stringent regulations for vendors and announced significant financial support for parade participants to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the Sinulog 2026 festivities.
Strict Vendor Registration and Zoning
In a recent press conference, Mayor Archival emphasized that only registered vendors will be allowed to operate during the Sinulog celebration. The registration process is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, and will be managed by a special committee created for Sinulog commercial activities. To avoid confusion and long queues, registration will be conducted alphabetically.
The mayor stressed that vendors must remain strictly within areas designated by the city government. He noted that the haphazard setting up of stalls on streets, sidewalks, and near churches has been a recurring problem in past Sinulog events. All vendors are required to pay the correct fees through their respective barangays or directly at City Hall and must carry their official ID at all times while selling. The city will conduct inspections during the festivities to ensure compliance.
Archival issued a strong warning: unregistered vendors will not be permitted to operate, and "roaming vendors" will be apprehended. Selling is strictly prohibited near prayer areas, churches, and along the routes of religious activities.
Financial Aid for Parade Contingents
Beyond vendor control, Mayor Archival announced that the city is preparing to release financial assistance to Sinulog contingents starting Tuesday to ensure smoother preparations ahead of the Grand Parade. An estimated 37 contingents are expected to participate in this year's Sinulog Grand Parade.
Contingents from Cebu City will receive P1 million each, while groups from outside the city or from provinces will be granted P1.5 million each. According to Archival, the fund is aimed at helping contingents cover costs for costumes, choreography, props, and logistics, as well as encouraging greater participation from local and visiting groups.
Traffic Management and Bus Rerouting
Addressing perennial traffic congestion, the city and province have coordinated a series of transportation and road management measures. Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak announced on Monday that Governor Pam Baricuatro has approved the temporary closure of the South Bus Terminal on January 18 as part of efforts to ease traffic on major roads during the peak of Sinulog.
Tumulak explained that buses from the south will not be allowed to enter the city center on that day. Instead, passengers will be dropped off at Plaza Independencia via the South Road Properties (SRP), and transport operators must follow regular fare rates. Buses from the north will also be rerouted to the SRP to reduce the number of vehicles in the city center, especially along routes expected to be heavily affected by religious processions, street parties, and the grand parade.
To further assist commuters, around 40 buses will be deployed during Sinulog. These buses will ply major highways and alternative routes to avoid the city center and ensure the smooth movement of passengers.
The combined measures—from vendor regulation and financial aid to traffic rerouting—are all targeted at improving crowd control, minimizing traffic gridlock, and ensuring public safety during Sinulog 2026. The Sinulog festival, held annually in honor of the Santo Niño, attracts huge crowds of devotees, tourists, and performers from across the nation and abroad.
