Sunday, September 30, 2007 Sinulog may signal ceasefire in Capitol-City Hall conflict
A STRAINED relationship between the Cebu City Government and the Cebu Provincial Government is not stopping Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia from making good her promise to dance in the Sinulog festivities every year.
Garcia has been joining the Sinulog grand mardi gras since her first term in 2004, leading the contingent from the Cebu Provincial Capitol. In the past years, she announced that she will make sure to join the annual event as her offering to the Sto. Niño.
But doubts on whether she will still be visible in the Cebu City-led event surfaced after several months of trading harsh words between officials of both local government units.
The conflict started with the issue on thousands of Cebu City residents affected by the Capitol’s move to take back lots covered by Ordinance 93-1, an issue that led to other stories such as Cebu City’s refusal to grant permits for Ciudad, a multi-billion development on a Capitol lot in Banilad.
The ownership of the Fuente Osmeña park is also now being discussed in court.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña reportedly said he would leave it to Vice Mayor Michael Rama whether or not to invite the Provincial Government.
Rama, in an interview with reporters, had said the Sinulog has always been for everyone so they will go ahead with the invitation as if there was no animosity between the two local governments.
Moreover, he added, the week-long festivities in January are for the Sto. Niño.
In a telephone interview with Sun.Star yesterday, Garcia said she intends to join next year’s Sinulog.
“As I have said from the start, I will always dance in offering of special interests for Cebu and the Cebuanos. I will stick to my word,” she said.
The governor is thanking Rama for the invitation. During the start of the conflict between the City and the Province, it was some statements from Rama against the Capitol that made the Province decide to drop the lot swap deal.
On the Sinulog issue, however, there’s no unpleasant word from both camps.
“Vice Mayor Rama can be very well assured that I will dance for the Sto. Niño, for Cebu and for the Cebuanos. There’s nothing personal about this.
Each of us has our own responsibility and in the position to defend each our local government unit and the interest of our constituents,” said Garcia, who was in the Camotes group of islands yesterday dancing with local festival dancers in front of tourists joining the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo. (JPM)
