Visit me for Sinulog aid, Gwen tells city officials

ASK personally and it shall be given unto them.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia issued this statement in response to a written letter from Cebu City’s Sinulog Foundation asking for a P3-million financial assistance to fund the city’s annual event.

A letter signed by Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) executive director Ricky Ballesteros stated that the amount will be used to fund the activities lined up for the 10-day festivity, which kicks off tomorrow.

“Of course, our willingness to extend assistance will always be there. The province will always extend its assistance. But they should visit us and ask us personally,” Garcia said.

The governor said submitting a written request for financial aid may send the wrong message to Cebuanos who may think that they can solicit millions of pesos in aid from the province by writing to her.

Garcia said there’s no reason for Cebu City officials not to visit her personally.

“When we solicit for funds to pay for the back cover of our souvenir programs, we visit sponsors personally,” Garcia said.

The Capitol didn’t extend financial aid to Cebu City’s Sinulog last year.

Instead Rama, asked Garcia to allocate the cash assistance to the 10 contingents who joined in the Sinulog parade competition last year.

In 2010, the Capitol extended P2 million in aid for Cebu City’s Sinulog festivities. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus