Garcia: Rama welcome to help in Sinulog preps

CEBU, Philippines — Dismissed mayor Michael Rama is welcome to help in the preparations for the Sinulog 2025 but only if he agrees to have it back at the Cebu City Sports Center and not at the South Road Properties (SRP), says Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

Garcia was reacting to reports that Rama is planning to meet with the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) officials to prepare for next year’s Sinulog.

According to Garcia, the former mayor has the right to meet with the SFI being the chairman of the foundation.

“He has the right to do that kay siya may president or chairperson sa Sinulog Foundation and as the chairman or president, he has the right to call for a meeting,” Garcia said in a press conference.

However, Garcia said the former mayor should not insist on holding his own Sinulog at the SRP.

“Maglisod siguro ta uy kung mag-Sinulog ta’s Abellana, mag-Sinulog pud ta sa SRP…Mura ta’g buang ana. I don’t think he is going to insist on that,” he added.

The mayor hopes that Rama means well in calling for a meeting with the SFI.

“Well I hope noh nga well-meaning ang iyang intention, nga gusto lang gyud siya mutabang sa preparation sa Sinulog 2025,” Garcia said.

Meanwhile, Garcia said he is closely monitoring the application and number of contingents for the Sinulog 2025. The mayor said he wants the subsidies for the official contingents to be released early.

“Ako jud na’ng gi monitor ang applications or registration kay para we will know how many contingents have registered and we will already start processing the early release of their subsidies,” said Garcia.

“Diko ganahan makadungog nga ang subsidies nga nadawat nila humana sila (og) perform or during their performance. It should be received before their actual performance,” Garcia said.

According to the mayor, the Cebu Provincial Government, led by Governor Gwen Garcia, is also giving a separate subsidy for the Cebu Province-based contingents. The amount will be on top of the subsidy from the city government.

The mayor, however, said he still do not know whether the Capitol is giving cash donation to the city government for the staging of the Sinulog 2025. — (FREEMAN)