Due to tough COA rules: City might have to scrap Sinulog

CEBU - “We will have to cancel the Sinulog next year”. This was the statement made by Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña as he lamented the circular released by the Commission on Audit.

 COA memorandum circular 2007-001 dated October 25, 2007 bars the release of financial assistance from public officials to organizations where government officials are included as members.

“Sinulog can’t survive without financial infusion from the city government,” the mayor said.

The mayor however said that it is up to Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who is chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. to look for ways and means in order for the annual celebration to push through even without budgetary support from the city.

“I don’t want to entertain that idea (cancellation of Sinulog),” Rama said when asked for a comment.

The circular was issued to address the rampant graft and corruption in the government where officials channel funds to their own foundation or preferred organizations as recipients of government funds.

Rama said that they are now trying to “catch the heart” of the COA officials in Manila to exempt Sinulog from the guidelines, being one of the country’s tourism attractions.

Rama said that they are hoping that COA will reverse its memorandum circular as the foundation will do its best that the Sinulog festival next year will not be cancelled.

The Sinulog festival is dubbed as one of the grandest, most distinguished and most colorful festivals in the Philippines.

Ricky Ballesteros, SFI executive director said that the Sinulog festival is an event that all Cebuanos are looking forward and canceling it would be big disappointment especially to the tourists, who are expecting it.

The city government allocates P8 million every year as part of the total P20 milllion budget for the week-long festival.

The money donated by the city government is primarily used as cash prizes for winning contingents.

The remaining amount is sourced from sponsorships.

“We can look for ways if the city could no longer give us the budget,” Ballesteros said.

He added if the SFI marketing group cannot generate enough funds, one option would be to cancel some activities.

Aside from the grand parade, also held during the Sinulog week are the search for the Festival Queen competition, Sinulog sa Kabataan, Sinulog sa Dakbayan and Lalawigan.

What is important, Ballesteros said, is that the street dancing or the parade shall remain.

“Sayang kayo ug atong e-cancel ang Sinulog. Personally, dili ko musugot,” he said.

Cebu City will be holding the 29th Sinulog festival next year. — /NLQ (THE FREEMAN)