Cebu City government officials are making a crucial appeal to all parents and guardians ahead of the massive Sinulog Grand Parade. With hundreds of thousands expected to attend, the city is prioritizing child safety to prevent families from being separated in the dense crowds.
Proactive Measure: Contact Details in Every Bag
Councilor Dave Tumulak, the spokesperson for the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated (SFI), is leading the call. He is urging parents to place a piece of paper with their contact details inside their children's bags or pockets. This simple step is designed as a fast-track solution. If a child gets lost, authorities or good Samaritans can immediately identify and contact the parents, significantly speeding up the reunion process.
Tumulak emphasized that the sheer volume of people during the Sinulog festivities creates a high-risk environment for children to become separated from their families. This practical measure is a frontline defense against such stressful incidents.
Designated Safe Havens for Lost Children
Beyond the personal identification effort, the city has established official support systems through the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS). Specifically, the DSWS has set up two dedicated child-minding rooms at strategic locations to serve as safe havens.
The rooms will be operational at Fuente Osmeña and the Cebu City Hall. These facilities will be staffed by social workers and volunteers tasked with caring for children who are found lost or unaccompanied during the celebration. The goal is to provide a secure, calm environment while efforts to locate the parents or guardians are underway.
A Community Effort for a Safe Festival
The dual strategy of personal identification and designated safe rooms highlights a community-focused approach to public safety. Councilor Tumulak's reminder serves as a critical preparation step for all families planning to join the revelry on January 7, 2026.
By taking a few minutes to prepare, parents can drastically reduce anxiety and ensure that the Sinulog experience remains a joyful and memorable cultural celebration for everyone, especially the youngest participants. The city's preparations underscore that safety is a shared responsibility between organizers and attendees.
