CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama expressed eagerness to return to work following his more than a month vacation leave with his family in Melbourne, Australia.
A day after his return to the city, Rama appeared during the Pet Fun Run and World Tent City Ceremonial opening last Saturday evening, December 16, 2023.
In his speech, he emphasized his eagerness to go back to work, particularly to work on the Sinulog 2024.
During the ceremonial opening, Rama opened his brief message with an emphasis of “Sinulog is us”.
“Hinumdoman gyud na ninyo, there will be no Sinulog without the Fiesta of Senor Santo Nino. Are you getting my point?” said Rama.
He admitted that the Sinulog Organizers need help in realizing the visions for the Sinulog 2024.
“We need help, but if help is extended with condition, God will not in any way, (be) in agreement to that,” said Rama.
In the past weeks, concerns have been raised on the Sinulog 2024 venue as Rama has stressed before he took a leave that it will remain at the South Road Properties. But other officials, including Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has stressed that if the Sinulog will be done at the Cebu Center Sports Center (CCSC), the Capitol will donate P20 million.
But Rama stands firm that the Sinulog will remain at the SRP.
Last week, the Cebu City Government, spearheaded by then acting Mayor Raymond Garcia, conducted a walkthrough in both venues to assess the most convenient one for the contingents and the spectators.
Present during the walkthrough were the executive officials of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) headed by its executive director Elmer “Jojo” Labella, Councilors Philip Zafra and Jerry Guardo, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) officials, Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), and other concerned agencies.
In an interview with the media, Garcia said the walkthrough was done to allow the SFI executives to present the options to meet the most favorable Sinulog 2024 celebration. He added this is also following the order of Rama to look at options in terms of venue, especially during the grand parade.
“Feasible ang duha, option A and option B are both feasible,” Garcia told reporters.
A day later, Rama said plans remain the same.
“Still nothing has changed, the SRP venue stands,” said Rama in his online interview with the Sugboanon Channel, the City Government’s online platform.
During his appearance in the ceremonial opening, Rama expressed in his speech that the activities being conducted in line with the event belong to Cebu City.
“This is Cebu City, no one should be claiming but us,” said the Mayor.
Rama concluded his speech with a plea to the public to help the government in the vision of the Singapore-like Cebu City which now entails a “Melbourne-like feature”.
Rama has been on vacation in Melbourne, Australia since October 31, 2023, and is supposed to be ending his leave on December 20, 2023.
“From the bottom of my heart, I miss you all of you, I miss the dancing...I miss working and really working for Cebu City,” said Rama. — (FREEMAN)