Gov. Gwen Garcia, the architect behind the ultra-successful Sugbo Kahanas program, said it has been her desire for the Cebuanos, a decidedly proud people, to uphold their dignity and not fall victim to the mendicant culture that is prevalent nowadays.
That is why her programs, she said, are designed to help Cebuanos help themselves — like the Sugbo Kahanas program.
“In Cebu, we do not believe in nurturing mendicancy. We would rather help Cebuanos help themselves,” Gov. Garcia said in her speech.
“We give them the proper tools, the proper opportunities so that they may be able to start a livelihood, to earn a decent living in order to make their children proud. Over here in Cebu, we respect the dignity of each and every Cebuano,” she added.
As a sign of commitment, Gov. Garcia announced that the season 4 of the program will have a bigger allocation of P200 million, in anticipation of additional members of the Provincial Board now that the lone district of Mandaue will also have two representatives at the provincial legislative body.
“We will now increase budget for Sugbo Kahanas Season 4 to P200 million. This will be distributed, this time, equitably. We will now consider the population, not the number of barangays. We will consider the population of your constituencies in each of the districts, including the Lone District of Mandaue,” the governor said. | SN