Board to oversee Sinulog Foundation

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has issued an executive order creating the Cebu City Sinulog Governing Board “to ensure smooth implementation of Sinulog activities” under his administration.

In an executive order he signed last Friday, the mayor said the board will oversee the Sinulog Foundation Inc. and its executive committee.

“There is an imperative need for the creation of a board that will complement the functions of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. and that will focus on coordinating with the concerned agencies and entities to ensure the smooth implementation of the core activities, thus assuring the success of the Sinulog Festival celebration,” reads portion of the order.

Labella said that as the city recognizes that the festival forms part of the Cebuano identity, the city is committed to ensure the success of the event that is celebrated every third Sunday of January.

Labella will sit as chairperson of the board while the members will include Governor Gwendolyn Garcia or her representative; eight members appointed by the mayor; five trustees of SFI; two members of the Cebu Council; Cebu City Police Office director or his/her representative; Department of Education Cebu City division superintendent; rector of Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño; Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 director; Cebu City Transportation Office head; Land Transportation Office-7 director; Department of Health-7 director; and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Labella said he may create sub-committees to study specific program issues and to make recommendations for implementation, adding that the chairperson has the right to appoint additional members and/or resource person as he may deem fit.

Among the specific functions of the board are to organize the Sinulog Festival and other relevant Sinulog activities, particularly on peace and order, leading to the festival in coordination with other concerned offices, agencies, and stakeholders; to oversee the SFI and the execom since the board is a policy determining and regulatory body; to review and approve all resolutions and actions of the SFI’s executive committee; and to perform other functions necessary to ensure the success of the event.

Labella is designating the Office of the City Administrator as the secretariat of the board that will assist the body in the execution of the policies, functions, and decisions on a day-to-day basis to ensure that the coordinative and monitoring works are carried out.

The members of the board will meet on a regular basis as agreed upon by the chairperson. The latter may also call for a special session anytime if deemed necessary, provided that members will be informed a day before the scheduled meeting. (FREEMAN)