Freedom day events a “go”

CEBU, Philippines — Despite the budget cut, the Barangayan Festival and the planned ball would still push through, as the Cebu City Government joins the rest of the country in celebrating the 125th Independence Day today.

From the P10.6 million approved budget from the City Council, this has been slashed down to around P5 million, after the city government received criticisms about the huge amount intended for the one-day events.

Of the events and activities lined up, the Barangayan sa Sugbo festival gets the biggest budget with P3 million alone, as a subsidy to the participating barangays.

From as many as 15 barangays, the final list of entries was trimmed down to 10 barangays that include Barangays Apas, Guadalupe, Suba, Pasil, Quiot, Day-as, San Nicolas Proper, Inayawan, Kalunasan, and Sudlon 1.

Sinulog Foundation’s Executive Director Jojo Labella, in an interview with The FREEMAN, however, denied that there was a sudden slash of the subsidy for the barangays, as reported by another paper.

Labella said the barangays were never promised a subsidy of P550,000 each, since this amount is only for the Sinulog festival proper and not for the Barangayan festival.

San Nicolas Proper’s Barangay Captain Clifford Jude Ninal also denied saying they were promised P550,000 each as a subsidy, although he said there was a mention of P350,000 at first, but ended with P300,000 each when it was finalized.

Labella also said the other barangays decided to back out from the competition due to time constraints in their preparation, and not because of the issue of subsidy.

He, however, could not tell how much the final amount for the prizes will be, as it is only the mayor’s office that knows about it.

The FREEMAN tried to contact City Administrator Collin Rosell, but to no avail.

Earlier, Rosell, although defending the approved budget, had said they have done some measures to cut costs.

Prior to today’s celebration, the city government had been actively involved and has organized different activities including the Investments Week and Trade Fair, City Hall at your Doorstep, earthquake drill, clean-up drive, Garbo sa Kabaranggayan, Palabas, among others.

The Garbo sa Kabarangayan at Plaza Independencia opened with Mayor Mike Rama, Liga ng mga Barangay President Franklyn Ong and Councilor Donaldo Hontiveros leading the opening ceremonies.

Rama was happy to see at least 26 barangays showcasing their products in the barangays and looks forward to a complete attendance of the 80 barangays in the next edition.

Yesterday, the Palabas, a drum and bugle competition, also aptly drummed up today’s celebration with close to 60 contingents from the Visayas region joining in, according to City Councilor Joel Garganera.

For the Independence Day itself, the city government opens the celebration with a Holy Mass and would be followed by the traditional civic-military parade along with the Lanog 2023 winners and Barangayan sa Sugbo street dancing from Fuente Osmena Circle to Plaza Independencia, instead of SM Seaside City.

The Barangayan sa Sugbo competition proper or the battle of festivals here is expected to start at 8 a.m.

A job fair with thousands of possible jobs will also be up for jobseekers today.

The day is set to end with a ball at Nustar Resort and Casino at the South Road Properties.

The event serves as a commemoration of the Philippine Independence Day and a tribute to the rich Filipino culture and heritage, at the same time honoring persons and institutions that have contributed to the growth and development of Cebu City and its people. /GAN (FREEMAN)