The Cebu Provincial Government will fully support the Sinulog Festival 2024 if it would be held back at the Cebu City Sports Complex (CCSC), formerly known as Abellana Sports Complex, in January next year.
“We will support it basta adto tas Abellana. We are all for it,” Gov. Gwen Garcia told Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) executive director Elmer “Jojo” Labella during a meeting at the Capitol on Wednesday, December 6.
It can be recalled that in January this year, the Sinulog Grand Ritual Showdown was held at the South Road Properties which was a deviation from the traditional festival venue which is the CCSC.
Still, the Cebu City Government announced that Sinulog 2024 will be held at the SRP despite the barrage of criticisms the move received this year.
Labella, with Ricky Dakay of Dakay Construction, visited the governor to ask for Cebu Province’s participation in the Sinulog Festival in January next year. Cebu LGUs will have to await the go-signal from the Capitol before they can field in participating contingents at the Sinulog next year.
“Let’s bring back the soul of the Sinulog,” the governor said, saying that the usual amount of P20 million will be donated by the province to SFI if Cebu’s grandest festival will be held back at the CCSC.
Labella said the venue of the Sinulog is still being finalized by organizing committee, and he will have to get back to the governor for update on the matter.
Gov. Gwen pressed him for an immediate answer as mayors in the province are waiting her go-signal on whether or not to prepare for the Sinulog next year.
Provincial Board Member Red Duterte, provincial tourism officer Marti Ybañez, and Cebu City chief protocol officer Cinbeth Orellano were also present during the meeting. | Babie Jane Revecoy