The Municipality of Sibonga in southern Cebu celebrated a truly fruitful “Bonga Festival” on the evening of August 8 after receiving festival-related aid from the Capitol worth P6.9 million.
Gov. Gwen Garcia, who announced the subsidy, was welcomed by Mayor Lionel Bacaltos at the town’s sports oval in Brgy. Poblacion where seven contingents from clustered DepEd schools and barangays competed in this year’s town-wide festival showcase.
Of the amount, P200,000 was allocated for each of the seven contingents while the LGU got P2.5 million to help defray the expenses for its socio-cultural activities.
Moreover, Mayor Bacaltos also received the P3 million check from the Capitol as subsidy for the town’s participation in this year’s Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals in Cebu City later this month, making him the first of 52 mayors from 52 participating LGUs to receive the financial support from Capitol.
“Let me congratulate all of the seven contingents. Nakita gyod ang inyong paningkamot, nakita ang discipline, artistry,” Gov. Gwen said in her speech. “Mangutana ko: nangandam na ba mo sa Pasigarbo? Pwerte nang pangandam? Dag-on na ni ninyo karon?” she asked, to which the audience replied excitedly in the affirmative.
In his speech, Mayor Bacaltos expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Governor for her unwavering support, particularly highlighting the upcoming construction of a six-classroom building for Sibonga Community College, with the bidding process already underway.
“Sa taas nga higayon, ako gyong ibalik-ibalik, Gov. Gwen, thank you kaayo sa suporta dinhi sa Lungsod sa Sibonga. As a third class municipality, daghan nga mga improvements nga hinatag ni Governor Gwen Garcia,” the mayor said.
Bonga Festival, a highlight of the town’s annual fiesta in honor of the Our Lady of the Pillar and Santa Filomena, symbolizes the fruitful reward of hard work and perseverance, expressed in the Cebuano term “Bonga” or fruit.
Joining the Governor at the event were Board Members Red Duterte, Jerome Librando, and Raymond Joseph Calderon; along with San Fernando Mayor Mytha Canoy, Naga City Mayor Val Chiong, Sogod Mayor Lissa Marie Durano, Samboan Mayor Emerito Calderon, Boljoon Mayor Joie De Rama, Argao Mayor Allan Sesaldo; as well as members of the municipal council, led by Vice Mayor Mariano Laude. | Babie Jane Revecoy