Video screen monitors will be set up in all 80 barangays in this city to allow Sto. Niño devotees to participate in the nine-day novena mass and the concelebrated mass on the Jan. 17 fiesta through livestreaming, Mayor Edgardo Labella said on Thursday.

In a memo released on Wednesday, Labella instructed village chiefs here to set up the monitors in their respective barangay sports complexes.

He said this strategy will allow devotees to hear the novena masses without converging at the city center and minimize crowding of people at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

He also directed barangay officials to manage the venue to ensure that devotees will strictly observe minimum public health standards.

“Markers shall also be in place to ensure observance of strict (physical) distancing during the novena mases,” Labella added.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Police Office chief, Col. Josefino Ligan said the local security sector is ready to secure the 2021 Fiesta Señor celebration.

The city police, along with medical emergency responders, conducted on late Wednesday afternoon a simulation exercise to test their readiness in responding to a bombing incident.

Ligan, who personally observed the drill at the Plaza Independencia, said he was satisfied with the level of skills shown by the “participating elements” in responding to emergency situations.

Apart from the 500 personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the CCPO will also deploy special units in different locations in the city center, as part of the over-all safety and security plan despite the expectation of having lesser churchgoers amid the looming cancellation of major Sinulog events due to ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) threat.

The Cebu City Traffic Office, meanwhile, said they will implement traffic rerouting plan to give way for road closures near the Basilica.

The temporary traffic plan will secure pedestrians who will be occupying roads surrounding the city’s historical church in order to participate novena and other religious activities for the fiesta.

On Monday, CCTO personnel painted markers on four roads around the Sto. Niño basilica to ensure devotees will participate in Holy Masses with physical distancing. (PNA)