A BUDGET cut and a sudden change in the route failed to dampen the spirits of participants of the Barangayan sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals, whose preparations are now in full swing.
San Nicolas Proper Barangay Captain Klifford Niñal said they were initially told that the barangays would get a P350,000 subsidy from City Hall to fund the expenses of their respective contingents. However, only P300,000 was released to each participating barangay.
Even with the subsidy, Niñal said he still spent out of his own pocket for expenses for the preparations, since the P300,000 was only enough to cover the costumes, honoraria of the choreographers and food for the participants.
He said Barangay San Nicolas Proper is looking forward to joining the Festival of Festivals and showcasing the village’s own festival.
“We want to promote our Kaplag Festival, our own festival. So far, the performance of our dancers is very promising,” Niñal added.
Inayawan Barangay Captain Kirk Bryan Repollo said his barangay is struggling with the reduced subsidy from City Hall, more so because there were delays in the release of the funds.
“Naa lang gyud mga struggles, especially sa budget, kay pag Friday pa nigawas. Then among gisaligan gyud sa budget ron kay ang subsidy from the City Government,” Repollo said on Saturday, June 10, 2023. (There are a few struggles on our part, especially with the budget, because it was released only last Friday. And we are relying on the subsidy from the City Government.)
Repollo said he had had to use his own money for the snacks and meals of the members of the contingent.
The Barangayan sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals will take place on Monday, June 12, as part of the Independence Day celebrations of Cebu City.
The participating barangays were also informed that the parade route for the festival was changed.
Instead of starting at the Plaza Independencia and ending at the SM Seaside at the South Road Properties, the parade will start at the Fuente Osmeña Circle and end at the Plaza Independencia.
Niñal said he does not know for sure why the route was changed but he assumed it was because of the huge impact the parade will have on the traffic at the Cebu South Coastal Road.
Despite the changes, he said they are doing well with their preparations.