CEBU, Philippines — Despite scrutiny and differing opinions, the Cebu City Council has approved a resolution seeking financial assistance from Cebu Province for the Sinulog 2025 festivities.
During yesterday’s session, the council approved Councilor Joel Garganera’s resolution requesting financial aid from Cebu Province, leaving the amount unspecified to allow the province the discretion to determine it.
However, before the resolution’s approval, the discussion turned heated, with five councilors abstaining from voting. The main point of contention was whether the request should come from the Cebu City Government instead of the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated (SFI).
During the discussion, Councilor Nestor Archival Sr. highlighted that there had been information indicating Cebu Province had previously extended financial assistance.
Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, a member of the SFI Executive Committee, explained that Cebu Province had been committing assistance to the SFI, not to the Cebu City government.
For the past two years, Pesquera said Cebu Province committed P8 million in financial assistance for 2023 and P20 million for 2024, all coursed through the SFI.
“However, Mr. Chair, as of the present, the Province has not transmitted the amount of P28 million to the SFI,” Pesquera said.
She noted that the matter was discussed within the executive committee, where the marketing team of the SFI reported that the financial assistance had yet to be transmitted.
In response, Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos argued that it would be inappropriate for the city government to request further assistance from Cebu Province if the latter had not yet fulfilled its previous commitments to the SFI.
Councilor James Anthony Cuenco clarified that the province’s commitment was contingent on the event being held at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC). However, for the past two years, the Sinulog celebration had been primarily staged at the South Road Properties (SRP).
“The condition was not fulfilled, thus the transmittal of the financial assistance was not effected,” Cuenco explained.
Pesquera countered, saying that during her attendance at a meeting with the province last year, the only condition was that the Sinulog sa Lalawigan be held at the CCSC and not the Grand Festival itself.
She added that it was also agreed upon that Cebu Province would have full control of the Sinulog sa Lalawigan, including the decision that the event’s ticket would be free of charge and will be open to all.
“In fact, during that time, last year, they also committed to releasing the 2023 financial assistance of P8 million,” Pesquera said.
She further emphasized that this concern was for the SFI to address, not the Cebu City government, clarifying that it was beyond the city council’s authority to intervene in the collection of such funds.
Pesquera also stressed that any requests for financial assistance for the Sinulog should be handled through the SFI, not the city council.
Additionally, she highlighted that the Sinulog budget for this year had increased from P80 million to P105 million, which she said should be sufficient to meet the SFI’s needs. Pesquera also pointed out that the Cebu City Government had already covered other expenses.
According to her, of the P80 million budget allocated last year, only P65 million had been used for prizes.
Garganera, however, argued that his resolution was simply a request and that it was up to the Capitol to decide whether to grant it. He added that it was the province's decision on where to channel the financial assistance and this would not pose a problem.
“If there are savings for the next Sinulog from the donation of the province, then there’s no harm in this,” Garganera said.
He also emphasized that the Sinulog is a celebration not just for Cebu City, but for the entire Cebu Province.
“Hangyo lang ni, dili gani, so wala,” Garganera stressed.
Archival further sought clarification on the role of Cebu Province during the festivity, particularly on whether the province would be handling media coverage for the event.
He said that once a donation was made, it could be anticipated that there would be an “exclusivity” of coverage, alongside the potential for revenue.
Garganera, however, clarified that he was not privy to such details, reiterating that the resolution was merely a request. He added that should any donation be made, it would be put on public record.
Councilor Joy Young also shared that, based on his years of exposure in public service, events like this should aim to gather and raise as many funds as possible.
“For example, if we have savings, then maybe we can spend on something we didn’t plan for because we don’t have the money,” he said.
Young also mentioned that if there were sufficient donations, the prizes could potentially increase.
However, he noted that it shouldn’t be the Cebu City government leading the request, but rather the SFI.
“At least it’s less political. It’s just my opinion. I have no objection if the city is the one asking, but I just feel that in our situation right now, maybe it’s better if the Sinulog Foundation handles it. That’s why we created the Sinulog Foundation, to avoid politics,” he said.
On the other hand, Garganera explained that the resolution was not driven by political intent, emphasizing that it was simply a request from one local government to another. He also added that it promoted the “One Cebuano” mantra.
Archival pointed out that once a donation was made, there might be a possibility that Cebu Province would take on a larger role in the festivities, which could include a larger share of revenue.
Despite the concerns raised, the council approved Garganera’s resolution, with five councilors abstaining, namely Pesquera, Archival, Franklyn Ong, Rhea Jacosalem and Philip Zafra. – /ATO (FREEMAN)