CEBU CITY, Philippines – An existing ban on smoking in public places will be strictly enforced during the week of the Sinulog festival, the Cebu City Environmental and Sanitation Team (CESET) said in a statement on Monday, January 11.
According to a report in SunStar Cebu, the anti-smoking and littering ban will be "strictly implemented" in public places where partygoers are expected to converge before and during the Sinulog on January 17.
The ordinance imposes fines of up to P1,500 on smoking, and P500 on littering. CESET chief Grace Luardo told SunStar that enforcers will be on duty 24 hours a day starting on January 11.
More no-smoking signs will be put up around the city.
The local environmental office said that businesses that don't dispose of their garbage properly would also be fined.
On December 30, festival organizers announced a ban on street parties along the parade route. (READ: Sinulog organizers ban street parties along parade route)
While the festival is a religious celebration, devotees of the Santo Niño de Cebu have criticized the way its being celebrated because of the carnival-like activities on the day of the parade. – Ryan Macasero/Rappler.com