SINULOG 2016: Apas National High School perform on the street of the Sinulog 2016 .(CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
CEBU CITY — The governor of Cebu on Thursday evening announced that eight competing contingents and a guest performer will not join the Sinulog Festival if the Cebu City government will insist to hold the event at the South Road Properties (SRP).
According to Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, among those who expressed apprehensions in joining the festival at the SRP on Sunday, Jan. 15, were the contingents from Talisay, Naga, Carcar, Mandaue, Toledo, Tuburan, Carmen, Moalboal, and Consolacion.
“As far as the province of Cebu is concerned, as governor of Cebu, and tasked to look after my constituents, SRP can no longer be an option,” she said in a press conference at around 9 p.m. on Thursday.
“If they (Cebu City government) insist on holding the Sinulog showdown at SRP, then all eight competing contingents and a guest contingent (Consolacion) where I will be dancing will be pulling out. I can’t risk the safety and health of our children,” she added.
Garcia said she already talked with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama who told her to give him time to decide.
“(But) I also have to wait because my mayors are waiting,” she said.
“We are chosen by the people and we are accountable to them. The authority of the government emanates from the people and I have always recognized that. Beyond my commitment to Sinulog, my responsibility to my constituents is paramount,” she added.
For many years, the festival’s grand showdown is held at the city’s main thoroughfares, mainly along Osmeña Boulevard, with the final staging held at the midtown’s Cebu City Sports Center.
Garcia is pushing for the traditional venue of the Sinulog instead of the SRP, citing concerns on traffic gridlock, security, and safety of the participating contingents.
Rama, however, said that the city government is doing their best in completing the venue, which remains “muddy” as of Thursday.