Fiesta committee hit: Spend within budget

CEBU, Philippines - "Work and spend within the budget."

This was the comment of Talisay City Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante and Committee on Tourism member, City Councilor Aldin Diaz, after the executive committee for the celebration of the city’s annual fiesta said it is hounded by fund constraints because of the council’s budget cuts.

Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, in his third supplemental budget, sought for the approval of P3.5 million budget for socio-cultural activities that will supposedly form part of the budget for fiesta activities, but the Alayon-dominated council slashed the item down to P1 million.

Earlier, the fiesta committee, led by city administrator John Yre De los Reyes, announced they are skipping the holding of the Inasal Festival this year.

Villarante, however, defended the approved amount saying it was "sufficient" for the lineup of activities, including the Inasal Festival, which is the highlight of the fiesta, and the search for Mr. and Ms. Talisay City 2015.

"With P1 million allocated for socio-activities, it is sufficient for the celebration, based on our previous experience," Villarante said.

The vice mayor also claimed that the larger budget for socio-activities sought by the mayor is not "totally" intended for the activities but for the hiring of some job order workers.

"We found out that the socio-cultural activities (fund) was used for the hiring of job order and not for the activities lined up by the city government," Villarante said.

Diaz said the executive committee, which is now headed by the Office of the Mayor, can still make the celebration spirited but not extravagant.

He recalled that when he handled the festival last year, they only spent not more than P3 million, as there was financial assistance from the Cebu provincial government.

Last year, Diaz tapped the organizers, the AIM Promotions and Spring Production, for the 15-day “Kasadya sa Talisay” in line with the fiesta celebration.

"Unsa ma’y nahitabo atong panahona nga kami ang midala? Dugay kaayo na-release ang payments ngadto sa organizers, nangita pa gani mi og itapal nga P1.2 million to the organizers," Diaz added.

In a separate interview, John Yre said the executive committee will undertake cost-cutting measures for the activities, seeing that the budget is not sufficient for the celebration.

He said the majority of the council wants to block every activity for the fiesta celebration in order to paint the picture of the administration of Mayor De los Reyes as against religious celebrations.

The members of De los Reyes family are Seventh Day Adventists.

"Ila man gud sagulan og pamolitika," John Yre said.

The Inasal Festival became the city’s festival because of its renowned lechon or roasted pig. It started during the incumbency of then mayor Eduardo Gullas in 2001 and was aimed at promoting the city and its specialty. — (FREEMAN)