Lapu-Lapu City sets aside fund to join Pasigarbo

CEBU, Philippines —  Lapu-Lapu City, for the first time will join Cebu Province’s “Pasigarbo sa Sugbu” which is one of the highlights of the month-long 453rd Founding Anniversary of the province next month.

“Tungod nga nagpromote ta sa atong turismo, mas maayo sab nga ma-showcase nato ang atoang syudad,” Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan told reporters in a press conference.

Dubbed as a “festival of festivals,” Pasigarbo is a cultural/dance story that mirrors the beauty and uniqueness of each town or city in the province.

Pasigarbo was suspended in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier announced Pasigarbo’s revival this year and allowed Lapu-Lapu City to join as a guest contingent.

“Kami gyud ang ni-volunteer para niini to promote the city as a tourist destination,” said Chan, in a statement.

The mayor added that the city government still lacks promotion and lacks representatives to show the city’s beautiful spots.

“If we can invest, more investors will come in, kung makahibawo sila nga ingon ani diay kanindot sa atoang syudad, nga naa ang airport, seven minutes lang, naa ang five-star hotel ug resorts, ingon ana ba,” the mayor said.

Chan believed that joining the Pasigarbo will help promote Lapu-Lapu City as a prime tourist destination in the Visayas.

“Kuwang og promotion ang Lapu-Lapu City, kasagaran sa nahibaw-an sa uban ang lain nga mga lugar, wa' sila kahibawo nga nia diay ang nindot nga lugar nga atong suroyanan, ang Lapu-Lapu,” the reelected mayor said.

Chan said that the city government will spend for its Pasigarbo presentation, despite Garcia’s promise to subsidize some of the expenses.

He said expenses will be sourced from tourism, cultural and historical fund allocation of the national budget, which was recently passed by the City Council and approved by the mayor. — GMR (FREEMAN)