CONTRARY to earlier pronouncements by Sinulog Governing Board (SGB) Executive Director Barney Borja that vital agencies, including the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI), are “under its wing,” SGB Chairman Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella clarified that the SGB and SFI have, in fact, complementary roles in the preparations for Sinulog 2020.
“Remember the role of the Sinulog Foundation and Sinulog Board are complementary. They complement each other with one purpose, one ultimate objective to make our Sinulog a success,” Labella said.
In a press conference on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, SGB introduced Sinulog 2020 activities and said it does not need the appoval of SFI, the group that has been managing the festival for the last 35 years.
“SGB will serve as the regulatory board that will oversee SFI and its executive committee and has the right to review and approve all resolutions and actions of the SFI’s executive committee,” SGB said in a statement.
Aside from Borja, SGB member Kenneth Cobonpue and project director Val Sandiego attended the press meeting.
But Labella on Tuesday clarified that “no one is above or under the other,” adding that he had yet to talk to Borja and other members of the SGB.
Labella explained that SGB’s main priority would be to maintain peace and order during the festivities and take charge of disaster preparedness, traffic management and security.
There may be other tasks for SGB upon agreement with SFI, Labella said.
On the other hand, SFI will take charge of organizing the Sinulog Festival and raising funds from sponsors, he added.
The SGB was created by Labella through an executive order issued in August 2019. (PAC, RSR)