THE Cebu City Government has reduced the budget for the Sinulog 2026 festivities from P100 million to P78 million to redirect funds toward rehabilitation efforts for communities affected by typhoon Tino.
In a press conference on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, Mayor Nestor Archival said the City will keep the festivities equally successful as past Sinulog celebrations, despite the 22 percent funding cut.
Archival said the budget adjustment reflects his administration’s priority to address urgent post-disaster needs while still ensuring a festival that maintains the quality and vibrancy of previous years.
Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairperson of the committee on budget and finance, said by cutting unnecessary expenses, the P78 million Sinulog budget will still be sufficient and will not hinder performances since the prizes for top contenders remain the same.
He explained that City Hall only trimmed nonessential items, while safeguarding allocations for top-performing contingents.
Specifically, he noted that cash prizes for the 6th to 10th places have been eliminated, but major awards and prizes for leading participants remain unchanged.
This approach, Tumulak said, balances fiscal responsibility with the City’s commitment to preserve the grandeur of the festival.
Despite the budget cuts, Archival expressed confidence that Sinulog 2026 will be just as spectacular as the 2025 celebration, which ended shortly before 10 p.m. and featured 43 contingents, including guest performers.
For 2026, the event is set to start at 7 a.m. and conclude at 7 p.m.
Contingents
Based on the Nov. 30 deadline of entries, the 2026 Sinulog grand parade will have a total of 37 contingents, including 12 from out of town such as Cotabato, Zamboanga City, Bais City, Albay, Antipolo, Muntinlupa, Davao Occidental, Tagbilaran City, and Las Piñas City. Bacolod City’s MassKara Festival will be the sole guest contingent.
Seventeen contingents will represent Cebu City itself, comprising of groups from barangays, schools, and local cultural organizations.
These are the following: Lumad Basakanon, Basak Pardo, Barrio Luz, Guadalupe, Banilad, Binaliw, Mabolo, Tribu Kinaiyahan from San Nicolas Proper, Inayawan, San Roque, Tejero, Kasambagan, Babag, San Nicolas Proper, UP Cebu, Labangon, and Talamban.
Meanwhile, seven contingents will come from other cities and towns in Cebu namely: Mandaue City, Toledo City, Carcar City, Alcoy, Carmen, and Dumanjug. Danao City will be a guest participant.
Archival said while the City has reduced the overall allocation, the top prizes will remain the same reflecting last year’s festival rates.
For the grand parade’s ritual showdown, the champion will still receive P3 million, while P2 million will go to the second place and P1.5 million for the third place winner.
The street dancing competition will also retain its prizes, with first place set at P1 million, second at P700,000, and third at P500,000.
The Free Interpretation category will continue to award P3 million to the top performer, while additional awards, such as Best in Costume, will carry a prize of P100,000.
Archival assured that the trimming of prizes for lower-ranking contingents, along with the removal of unnecessary expenses will not affect the festival’s overall quality.
The City said the 2026 Sinulog route will have the same carousel pattern as Sinulog 2025 although measures will be taken to limit the number of floats and discourage large groups from trailing contingent vehicles to avoid road congestion.
Unlike in previous years, Cebu City will no longer sponsor street parties. Any additional festival-related events will be left to the Sinulog Foundation Inc.
Potential activity areas identified for independent celebrations include the South Road Properties, Escario Street, Plaza Independencia, and IT Park.
Sinulog 2026 will have the theme “United in Faith and Love” as the festival once again celebrates Cebuano devotion to the Holy Child, Santo Niño.
Archival expressed confidence that despite reduced spending, Sinulog will continue to highlight Cebuano unity, creativity, and cultural pride. / CAV