TO FURTHER solidify the “unity” between their local chief executives, the Cebu Provincial Government will extend another P5 million in financial assistance to the Cebu City Government for Sinulog 2020, bringing to P8 million Capitol’s total contribution to the event.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, said the P5 million cash aid is separate from the P3 million extended earlier by the Province to the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI).
“The P3 million was their request for 2019. Apparently, the Provincial Board passed a resolution to grant the P3 million request of the SFI sometime in June. Since it was already the closing days of the previous administration and within the transition period, the check was never issued,” she said in a mix of English and Cebuano.
The governor said she already gave the go signal to release and turn over the check, which was received by SFI officials last Jan. 6.
“That was not my commitment, the releasing of the P3 million. That was the commitment of the previous administration, and we have a different assistance to offer. For this administration, we will be helping with P5 million,” Garcia said in a mix of English and Cebuano.
Garcia also welcomed the participation of Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella in the Province’s guest performance during the Sinulog grand parade on Sunday, Jan. 19.
“I think it’s a powerful symbol of hope for the Cebuanos where the two leaders are together for a dance offering for our beloved Sto. Niño. I am really very grateful to Mayor Labella for deciding to join us,” Garcia said.
“I believe it was also his reason that he saw what a symbol of unity this could be for all Cebuanos and even the entire country to appreciate. When there is unity, there is so much we can achieve,” she added.
In a related development, Consolacion Mayor Joannes Alegado cited the coming centennial founding anniversary of their town as the main reason they will not defend their title as 2019 Sinulog free interpretation champion this year.
Consolacion’s “Tribu Malipayon” was also hailed best in costume and best in musicality in the same category last year.
The team defeated crowd darling and 2018 Sinulog free interpretation champion Tribu Kandaya of the Municipality of Daanbantayan.
“We’re sad that we can’t defend our title because it’s too close to our centennial celebration, which will be on the first week of February. I would say that it will be too exhausting since it would be the same people who will be preparing,” Alegado said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
“We also don’t want to be torn between the two events. That’s why we’re focusing on the centennial. Our centennial celebration happens only once, while the Sinulog is an annual event,” Alegado added. (RTF)