The Cebu City Government has announced key decisions for the upcoming Sinulog 2026 festivities, prioritizing public communication and performance quality. Officials confirmed there will be no mobile phone signal jamming during the celebrations, while simultaneously imposing a ban on the use of lighted props by performing contingents.
Ensuring Connectivity and Performance Standards
Mayor Nestor Archival, in a statement on Monday, December 29, 2025, emphasized that the city will avoid any signal shutdown to guarantee uninterrupted communication for the public, media personnel, and participants. He stated this move will greatly benefit festival groups, emergency responders, and journalists who depend on mobile networks.
Conversely, the use of illuminated or lighted props during performances has been prohibited. According to Archival, this rule aims to maintain visual uniformity, prevent distractions, and enhance the overall quality of routines along the parade route. These updated guidelines were finalized in a coordination meeting between the Cebu City Government, the Sinulog Foundation Inc., and other stakeholders.
Stricter Enforcement for the Grand Parade
Organizers are set to enforce performance rules more strictly for the main event on Sunday, January 18, 2026. A significant rule states that contingents arriving at their designated prepositioning areas along the carousel route at or after 7 a.m. will be disqualified from joining the parade.
To prevent delays seen in past festivals, a pre-judging session for floats will be conducted before the grand parade. This step ensures all entries meet the required competition standards before they are allowed on the official route. The city also called on media outlets to provide extensive coverage of Sinulog activities to help disseminate information widely.
Mandaue City Gears Up for Fiesta Señor
Preparations are also in full swing in neighboring Mandaue City for the Fiesta Señor and the Traslacion. The Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) declared its readiness for the event, which involves the ritual transfer of the images of the Santo Niño and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Team head Hyll Retuya confirmed coordination with the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and other authorities. Around 70 traffic personnel will be deployed along the Traslacion route, with patrol units stationed at key points. Retuya clarified that there will be no full road closures; roads will only be temporarily blocked as the convoy passes and reopened immediately after.
The route in Mandaue City remains unchanged, passing through Barangay Subangdaku and Tipolo before reaching the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Barangay Centro. A dry run is scheduled for the first week of January, with contingency plans for rain or flooding. The public is urged to cooperate with traffic enforcers for a safe and orderly event.
