CEBU CITY (PNA) – Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has ordered a ban on balloons and firecrackers during the Sinulog processions for everyone’s safety.

He said while authorities will not be very strict in enforcing the order, the public is asked to cooperate by not releasing balloons that may get snagged on electrical wires and cause short circuits that can lead to fires.

Firecrackers may also injure participants of processions, he said.

"We have to ban anything that might damage or short circuit the electrical lines. I’m talking about releasing of balloons, kwitis, fireworks, because of an incident last year,” he said.

Osmeña said the police and barangay watchmen have been instructed to go after those who will violate the order.

“I don’t want them to release anything. It’s for public safety. I’m not trying to demoralize them,” the mayor said.

Asked whether balloons would also not be allowed during the end of masses, he said the order stays when there are power lines directly overhead.

“We will not be very strict, but I ask for the general cooperation of the public,” the mayor said.

Meanwhile, some 6,000 student volunteers, police and military personnel will secure the parade route and help keep the January 17 Sinulog grand parade orderly.

Cebu City Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. said the crowd control group faces a tougher task this year since the crowd is expected to be more difficult to handle because of the small number of contingents joining the parade.

With a wide gap between contingents, he said revelers might get past the cordon and insist on crossing the street, which can cause disorder.

“It’s possible that it’s going to be more difficult to control the crowd this time because there might not be enough contingents to fill the road. We’re expecting there’s going to be a lull in the parade and when there is a wide gap, the crowd tends to get rowdy. It will be tougher for those who will guard the parade route,” Pe said.

After the parade, policemen will also be deployed to the areas where street and club parties will be held, as well as areas where traffic is expected to be heavy after the revelry at the sports center.

Police Regional Office 7 Director Lani-o Nerez appealed to those who will be in the streets during the parade to behave, warning that temporary detention centers will be set up in portions of the parade route.