Cebu guv suggests holding Sinulog Festival at Cebu City Sports Complex
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia speaks to reporters on Monday, January 9, 2023, to voice out her sentiments on the Cebu City government’s plan to hold the Sinulog 2023 at the South Road Properties. (DALE ISRAEL / INQUIRER VISAYAS)
CEBU CITY — Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is pushing for the traditional venue of the Sinulog Festival instead of the South Road Properties (SRP), citing concerns on traffic gridlock, security, and safety of the participating contingents.
Garcia said she already relayed her concerns and suggestions to the Cebu City Government, hoping that Mayor Michael Rama will heed her call.
In a press conference on Monday afternoon, Garcia said her primary concern is that of the closure of the SRP that will “heavily affect” at least 20 towns and cities in the south due to traffic gridlock.
She said that when SRP is closed, the only access to the towns will be the Natalio Bacalso Avenue which won’t be able to accommodate the number of motorists, especially during the January 15 Sinulog grand parade.
Garcia said her constituents in the province will mostly be traveling to Cebu City to pay homage to the Santo Niño and the closure of the SRP will bring inconvenience to the devotees.
Garcia likewise pointed out that there will also be security problems since the area is open space as compared to the fenced Cebu City Sports Complex where the Sinulog used to be held.
READ: Gwen raises concerns on SRP as Sinulog venue
“If they would ask my opinion and I hope that my opinion matters, it is One Cebu Island after all. It is better that we stick with tradition because afterall, the Sinulog is part of our tradition and our ways were tried and tested already in all of these years,” Garcia said.
Garcia said she is not against the holding of the Sinulog in other venues but this should be planned thoroughly and not just about the construction of infrastructure, and forgetting about the effects and the amenities needed.
Mayor Rama wants the Sinulog Grand Festival at the SRP but construction of the venue only started a few weeks ago. The proposed venue was already the subject of several criticisms on social media because of the lack of infrastructure and a possible “muddy” Sinulog parade due to the rains.
The mayor has yet to comment on the statement of the governor. His lawyer has already talked with Garcia on Monday morning but no statements have been released yet by the mayor.
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