THE long-awaited Suroy-Suroy Sugbo Southern Heritage Trail kicked off in Minglanilla town, southern Cebu on Friday, November 18, 2022.
Highlight of the opening program was a presentation by the Kabanhawan Festival dancers, and the town’s delicacies.
Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Board Member Stanley Caminero of Cebu
Second District were also present to entertain the around 400 visitors.
The participants on board tourist buses will visit various places that are connected to the culture and history of Cebuanos. It will cover all towns and cities in the first, second and seventh districts.
From Minglanilla, the trail will drop by San Fernando, Sibonga, Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy and Boljoon on the first day.
On the second day, participants will visit beaches in the towns of Oslob, Santander, Samboan, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Alegria, Badian and Moalboal.
On the third day, they will proceed to the towns of Alcantara, Ronda, Dumanjug, Barili and the cities of Carcar and Naga before heading to the final destination of Talisay City for dinner and a show presentation.
Police Major Arieza Otida, chief of Minglanilla Police Station, said 50 police and fire personnel and another 50 force multipliers from Minglanilla Traffic Command (Mitcom) were deployed in the area to man traffic and to ensure the safety of the participants.
Minglanilla Councilor and acting Vice Mayor Jay-R Dela Calzada, chairman of the Tourism and Socio Cultural Committee, said Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, which has suspended for two years due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic will help improve the tourism industry in Cebu.
Caminero, on his part, called the opening day as a blessing from above due to the downpour.
Caminero was hoping for a good weather in the next few days so that tourists will enjoy their visit to the different municipalities.
Caminero said participating municipalities are already excited to host the event as this would also help improve their economy.
Gertrude Abarquez, a Cebuano balikbayan who is based in Bohol, has been joining the tour thrice.
For this year, Abarquez said she noticed that the tourism program initiated by Garcia has improved a lot compared to the previous years.
Abarquez and Garcia are former classmates in school. (BBT, TPT)