THE Provincial Government's month-long celebration of its 450th founding anniversary may have ended, but it's just the beginning of its partnership with the Cebu City Government.
Provincial and City officials along with high-profile personalities from both the public and private sectors have gathered for a unity and solidarity dinner at the Capitol social hall on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019.
The event capped the month-long festivities of the Province as it turned 450 years old last Aug. 6.
Among the founding anniversary celebration's highlights was the return of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.
After a six-year hiatus, the "festival of festivals" made its comeback stage at the Cebu City Sports Center on Sunday, Aug. 25.
It marked the first of "more" partnership endeavors between the Province and the City.
"On this symbolic night, we, those of us who have gathered here nga nagagikan sa pribado ug publikong sektor (that come from the private and public sectors), we celebrate the aspirations and hopes of the Cebuanos," said Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
The governor said had the Cebuanos elected a different governor and mayor, the Pasigarbo may neither see the light of day again nor hold its comeback in Cebu City.
"The last elections in May gave the Cebuanos the opportunity to speak loud and clear. We officials were chosen and elected to serve, to lead, to inspire. Perhaps, it is by no chance or accident of history that the Cebuanos chose Mayor Ed (Edgar) Labella and I to lead the City and the Province of Cebu, especially at this moment of Cebu's history as we prepare for the celebration of 500 years of Christianity which started right here in Cebu," Garcia said.
"It is said that God puts together the right people at the right time for the right reasons. Surely, there can be no greater reason than the aspiration to unite and be one in order to achieve progress and development. But also surely, it cannot only be Mayor labella and I who are the right people for we can't do this alone," she added.
The governor urged all Cebuanos to help the City and Provincial Government in its programs for a more holistic approach on development.
"We face unchartered territory, a road untraveled. It takes all of us to be the right people at this right time for the right reason. We will need each others support as we encounter the bends and turns and impossible pitfalls of the journey up ahead, come what may. No matter the challenges, no matter the difficulties, we Cebuanos will prevail," Garcia said.
As a symbol of their alliance, Garcia, on behalf of the Provincial Government gave Labella a galleon sculpture.
Mayor Labella, for his part, also gave the governor a "special gift" wrapped in gold paper on behalf of the City.
Also during the event, the Capitol gave plaques of appreciation to some of its department heads, private individuals and officials of national government agencies and of the City Government for their contributions which led to the success of founding anniversary celebration. (RTF)