A send-off ceremony of uniformed personnel and volunteers for the "Traslacion" on Thursday, January 15, 2026 and the Fiesta Señor fluvial procession on Saturday, January 17 was set on Monday, January 12. 

The personnel are part of 1,600 peacekeepers to be deployed for the activities of the Fiesta Señor 2026. 

The personnel are reminded to perform their duties well in keeping peace and order.

Personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management office, team of barangay responders, and force multipliers comprise the peacekeepers.

Student-volunteers from a big university in Cebu are also tapped. 

Compared to the previous years, the number of peacekeepers for 2026 almost doubled, according to the authorities.

This is one of the reasons for the change of schedule of the stay of the images of the Santo Niño and the Virgin of Guadalupe that will spend overnight in Mandaue City.

“Due to the several simex [simulation exercises] we have conducted, we found out nga daghan ta'g lugar nga dapat butangan pa'g tropa so we deem it right with our regional director, PBGen. Redrico Maranan mariin na i-double siya,” PCol. Cirilo Acosta Jr., director of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), said. 

Mayor Jonkie Ouano hopes that the event will be peaceful and orderly, as it is expected to draw thousands of devotees and spectators. 

“Nag-andam na ta ani, ato gyud ni gi-andam para smooth ang flow, karong umaabot Thursday,” Ouano said. 

In the send-off ceremony, personnel were blessed by members of the clergy, including their assets such as vehicles and equipment during the deployment. 

Meanwhile, according to the MCPO, the personnel will be deployed in their respective assignments by 4 a.m. on January 15.