TACLOBAN CITY (CIO) — Around 500 uniformed personnel will be deployed in strategic areas around the city on June 29 and 30 to provide security during the celebration of the Sangyaw Festival.

Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) Public Information Officer Police Captain Marjorie Manuta said that this is part of the security plan prepared by the local police office for the Sangyaw Festivities.

Manuta disclosed in an interview over Radio Program Sumat Tacloban of the City Information Office that all TCPO personnel will be on duty on the eve of the City Fiesta, and on June 30, and will have augmentation coming from the Philippine Army and the Regional Mobile Force Batallion of the Police Regional Office 8.

She also added that security details have been posted regularly at the Festival venues since the start of the month-long Sangyaw Activities.

As part of the security preparations on June 29, the following roads will be closed to vehicular traffic at noontime: Esperas Avenue, Real –Lukban (San Fernando), Paterno Sta, Cruz, Transmitter Road, Cor. Rizal and Avenida Veteranos (H Q-Petron), Sabang District, Corner Salazar- Sta Cruz, the road fronting the Leyte Progressive High School, Naga-naga Road, Corner Congressman Artemio Mate, and Apitong Junction.

Aside from this, Manuta also added that the TCPO will operate mobile patrol units and 12 assistance desks in Plaza Rizal, Eye Referral Center, Savemore, Macdonalds, Burgos – Torres, Abucay New Bus Terminal, Marasbaras New Transport Terminal, Robinsons Marasbaras, Leyte Progressive, Corner Rizal and Imelda Avenue, LVD and Leyte National High School to monitor the situation during the Sangyaw Festival.

Sangyaw Festival is Tacloban City’s Official Festival which showcases the artistry and culture of Taclobanons and other participating localities. The highlight of the month-long activities is the Parade of Lights.

This year’s Parade of Lights will be participated by eleven schools, barangay, and community-based contingents and 11 Floats which will include three from Catbalogan City, Samar, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat.

The Dance Contingents are composed of Tribu Danhani of Eastern Visayas State University, Tribu Tarakloban of San Jose National High School, Manarabo Festival of Hinabangan Western Samar, Tribu Manhuhurip of Brgy. 84 Manlurip San Jose, Tribu San Jose of the San Jose Central School, Tribu Bakhawan of Brgy. 83 Paraiso, Tribu Mandaragat of Barangay 2 Jones, Kasirangan Tribe of Brgy. 42 Quarry District, Tribu Maglalara of Basey, Samar, Tribu Kalusayan of Brgy. 35-A Pampango and Tribu Nagkaurusa of Brgy. 49 Hillside, Youngfield.

Comprising the Float entries are Danhani (EVSU), Celebrate Fiesta (Catbalogan City), Finding of Sto. Nino de Tacloban (Tacloban Angelicum Learning Center), L’MBA (Maguindanao), Balanghay (SJCS), Bahandi (Brgy. 83 Paraiso), Mandaragat (Brgy. 2 Jones), Fiesta Bayanihan (Brgy. 42-A Quarry District), Kumpit Sa Sultan Kudarat (Sultan Kudarat), Fiesta Sarimanok (Brgy. 35-A Pampango) and Fluvial Procession in Kankabatok (Brgy. 49 Hillside Youngfield).

A Civic Parade which will be participated by 20 Groups of Merrymakers will be held at 3:00 PM on June 29 before the Parade of Lights.

The Parade will pass through the following streets: Justice Romualdez, Rizal Avenue, Imelda Veteranos, Real Street and end at Magsaysay Boulevard.

Medics from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Tacloban City Rescue Unit, and Green Volunteers will be stationed in key areas of the parade route to provide emergency medical services.

The TCPO is advising revelers who will attend the festivities not to wear jewelry so as not to attract the attention of criminal elements, and to report any crime incident to their Hotline Numbers: 0917-631-7752 (Globe) and 0998-991-3699 (Smart). – H. J. Roca/CIO

*File Photos of the Sangyaw Parade of Lights