Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) Director Col. Elmer Lim discouraged such activity to prevent injuries or inconvenience during the procession, which is one of the activities lined up ahead of the Nov. 21 feast in honor of Our Lady of the Rule.
However, Lim said if people want to use firecrackers on Saturday, they must do it in open spaces with few people and not near the crowd watching the seaborne procession.
Meanwhile, there will be road closures as early as 6 a.m. during the seaborne procession. The roads will be opened again after 9:30 a.m.
The roads that will be closed on Saturday include B.M. Dimataga St, Lopez Jaena St. and Ompad St. from the corner of Lopez Jaena St. up to B.M. Dimataga St., and S. Osmeña St. from the corner of J.P. Rizal St.to Lopez Jaena St.
Crowd control
In a press conference on Wednesday, Nov. 9, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan said there is a need to control the crowd who will flock to Muelle Osmeña to prevent a possible stampede.
Chan said a huge crowd is expected to flock on Saturday as residents are eager to join the religious activity after the two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The mayor said they are closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police and force multipliers for crowd control.
To also protect Muelle Osmeña from incurring any damage, Chan said not all people will be allowed to enter the historic wharf.
The mayor also discouraged senior citizens and children from joining the activity to protect them from heat stroke and breathing problems when they are caught in the crowd. (MKG)