Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia is lobbying to the Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd 7) for the unification of provincial and city divisions in the conduct of the annual cultural and sports meet.
In this way, Cebu Province will truly be represented at the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) and Palarong Pambansa by the “best of the best” student-athletes from a united Cebu Province.
The Governor is lamenting the current set up of DepEd 7 where only 44 municipalities are participating in the Cebu Provincial Sports and Cultural Festival held at the City of Naga from February 9 to 14.
Meanwhile, the six component cities of Talisay, Naga, Carcar, Toledo, Danao, and Bogo; as well as the highly urbanized city (HUC) of Mandaue already organized their respective City Meets to select their own athlete-representatives for these next-level competitions.
“Angay ba kana ibuwag nato?” Gov. Gwen said in her speech during the opening ceremonies of the weeklong Cebu Provincial Sports and Cultural Festival on February 9 at the City of Naga sports stadium.
“Susama ra man ug sama ra man usab ang akong pagpangga sa tananag mga estudyanteng Sugbuanon, lakip ka man sa Provincial Division o lakip ka sa city division,” she added.
The Governor reminded DepEd and LGU officials present that under her leadership, Cebu Province has endeavored to implement every project or activity in a manner that all LGUs are involved, without skipping one or favoring the other.
Among these are the conduct of the Suory-Suroy Sugbo, Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, Sugbo Kahanas, Sugbo Negosyo, among others.
In education, the Capitol has also extended its programs not just to public school students of DepEd in the 44 municipalities under the Provincial School Board, but to the students as well of the six component cities and the HUC Mandaue.
Among these are the Sugbo School Feeding Program and the distribution of school supplies yearly which benefit almost reach a million students as this is the number of students enrolled in Cebu Province this year.
“Karon pa lang, ato na unta ning planohon nga usahon na ang athletic and cultural competitions. Ngano man? Ang atong mga athletes, whether they come from the city or from the towns, maanindot gayod nga mag-usa so we can get the best of the best. Kay aron puhon sa Palarong Pambansa, dili nga maglahi-lahi ang athletes nga champions sa mga ciudad bisag gikan sa Cebu, ilahi sa province,” the Governor said.
“Basin pa man og mag-usa ta, mataas-taas ang atong ranking puhon sa Palarong Pambansa,” she added.