Buhing Kalbaryo to go on sans council funds: Rama

THE Cebu City Government still has no funds for the holding of its traditional “Buhing Kalbaryo,” but Mayor Michael Rama said the annual activity will push through.

He said the P475,000 cash needed for the event that depicts the days of Jesus Christ prior to his crucifixion and his death on Mt. Calvary, will be raised through the supporters of Buhing Kalbaryo.

During the City Council’s last session for the month of March yesterday, no resolution was approved covering the P475,000 that will be used for the production of the Buhing Kalbaryo, one of the activities lined up for the Holy Week.

Earlier, Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias filed a resolution charging the amount to the City’s Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) funds.

Guidelines

However, it was questioned by the council’s committee on budget and finance chaired by Councilor Margarita Osmeña since religious activities are not among the items that are to be funded under the Pagcor funds.

Under the Pagcor guidelines, it provides that Pagcor funds can only be used to self-sustainable livelihood projects, scholarships, infrastructure projects essential to the community and basic health services, among others.

Pagcor funds can also be used for projects meant to prevent spread of diseases or epidemics, de-clogging of and collection of garbage in sewers and canals, and construction of sanitary facilities in depressed areas.

It can also be used to fund programs to improve peace and order, emergency assistance to victims of natural disasters and calamities and terrorism, and other projects that will help alleviate poverty.

In an interview yesterday, Osmeña said no resolution was passed for the Buhing Kalbaryo funds since City Accountant Diwa Cuevas has not yet responded to the council’s request for her to submit a recommendation that religious activities are allowed to be charged to the City’s share from Pagcor.

The accounting office, however, said they only received the council’s request last Tuesday.

In his regular news conference yesterday, Rama said that despite the lack of funding, he cannot allow the Buhing Kalbaryo not to push through.

Asked where to get the funds needed for the event, Rama said there will always be Buhing Kalbaryo supporters who will make the activity happen.