Rama won't resign as head of Sinulog Foundation Inc.

MANILA, Philippines - Vice Mayor Michael Rama said he will not resign as chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI), because he does not think this is the solution to the problem posed on the release of funds from the city government.

This is in reaction to a report that Rama will resign if the Commission on Audit (COA) won’t grant on the city’s request for exemption from COA Circular 2007-001.

The said circular prohibits local government units from giving financial assistance to non-government organizations and private organizations if their officials are related to the officials of the LGU up to the third degree of consanguinity.

Rama is the presiding officer of the city council that approved the resolution allocating funds for the Sinulog 2010 activities.

 SFI has been receiving millions of pesos from the city every year as financial assistance since it was organized in 1980.

This year, the city government will be giving P12.5 million to the foundation for the prizes that will be given out to the winners of the festival including the expenses for the grand parade.

Rama stressed that even if he will resign from the foundation, the problem will still be there if former vice mayor Renato Osmeña stays as SFI president.

“My resignation if ever, will not solve the problem unless Renato Osmeña will also resign because Renato is the father of Richard Osmeña,” Rama said.

Richard is a councilor of the South District.

Rama said that several local government units are also experiencing similar problems and are also waiting for COA to resolve their position against the circular.

COA officials in Manila will convene tomorrow to decide on the request of Cebu City.

The vice mayor added that he will however make a decision if COA will not accept their request for exemption from the controversial circular.

Last year, the city government secured an exemption from the said circular as COA realized the importance of the financial assistance for the Sinulog festivities.

Rama is optimistic that COA will also grant their request this time as the said agency already acknowledged and recognized the festival.

City administrator Francisco Fernandez, however, said that the city has already a contingency measure if COA will deny their position.

According to Fernandez, the city can actually co-sponsor the festival and may directly give the prizes to all Sinulog winners.

But like the vice mayor, Fernandez is hoping that COA will eventually give the exemption to avoid hitches in preparing the documents.

Ticket Sales

Meanwhile, tickets for the Sinulog grandstand watchers are selling like hotcakes according to Sinulog executive director Ricky Ballesteros.

As a matter of fact, Ballesteros said that the white tickets which cost P600 each are already sold out.

The Sinulog executive director said that the remaining tickets available are sold at P500 (yellow), and P400 (green and pink) tickets.

Ballesteros advised the public to only buy tickets from their office at the Cebu City Sports Center and not elsewhere.

“Ako lang gi-warn ang public nga diri ra sa office mupalit og Sinulog ticket, just to avoid sa mga fake tickets kay mahibaw-an ra ba gyud namo ang peke,” Ballesteros said.

Cash Advance

The SFI is ready to take a “cash advance” amounting to P10 million from the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office if the COA will not allow the financial aid.

According to Ballesteros, that they are going to do a “procedure without violating government auditing rules”.

Yesterday, Ballesteros met with representatives from City Treasurer’s Office and City Accountant’s Office to seek solution to the problem.

He said that making the cash advance is one way to ensure that there would be enough funding for the Sinulog celebration.

Grand Kick Off

This year’s celebration will kick off on Friday.

A Mass set at 2 p.m. at the Basilica del Sto. Niño will open the kick off program.

This will be followed by a launching parade to be participated in by at least 16 dance contingents.

At 7:00 in the evening, an opening and launching parade will be held at Cebu City Sports Center while presentation of Ms. Cebu 2010 and Sinulog Idol preliminary show will entertain the public at Fuente Osmeña. – Elly Bolonos with Marjun Baguio, UC Intern/NLQ   (FREEMAN NEWS)