MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso plans to replicate the Sugbo Negosyo program initiated by the Cebu Provincial Government if he emerges victorious in the May 2022 presidential election.
The Sugbo Negosyo program was launched on Sept. 30, 2020 by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia together with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry to help and encourage small entrepreneurs in the province who have been affected by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Domagoso graced the awarding ceremony of the Sugbusog Program together with former presidential spokesperson and senatorial candidate Harry Roque Jr. in the Social Hall of the Cebu Provincial Capitol Monday, Dec. 6, 2021.
“The only thing that I will promise here is kokopyahin ko itong ginawa ninyo sa Cebu Province na para sa kababayan natin na mabigyan ng hanapbuhay,” Domagoso said in his speech.
With the frequency of his visits to Cebu, the presidential aspirant said the province might become his second home. He joked that he is jealous of Roque being an adopted son of the Province of Cebu.
“Buti pa si Harry, adopted na. Huwag kang mag-alala, Harry. Malapit na. Magiging magkapatid na tayo,” Domagoso said.
Domagoso was introduced by the Secretary-General of the One Cebu Party and Deputy Speaker Pablo John Garcia.
“It is my honor and I am humbled to introduce to you tonight, the man who will be the next President of the Republic of the Philippines,” Garcia said.
Despite the pronouncement, Governor Garcia, who is chairman of One Cebu, has remained silent on who among the presidentiables will get the support of the local leaders in the province.
The event was also attended by mayors from municipalities and component cities in the Province of Cebu, but Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco, daughter of the governor, was not in attendance.
Garcia-Frasco recently announced her support for the candidacy of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for president and vice president, respectively.
The winners of the Sugbo Negosyo program will receive coupons that they can redeem to partner with merchants for the continuity of their business.
The prize is P500,000 worth of coupons for the grand winner, P300,000 for the first runner-up and P200,000 for the second runner-up. The seven remaining finalists will receive 100,000.
Renan Alquizola of Barili was declared the grand winner, while Laura Ebalca of Mandaue City and Elda Igot from Sogod were declared first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively.