Governor: Suroy-Suroy a success

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia described the three-day Suroy Suroy Sugbo as a big success, defending criticism that she used the event to advance her political campaign for the May 10 elections.

Interviewed by reporters, Garcia said the success of the Suroy Suroy Sugbo was made possible by the full support of municipal mayors and other local officials.

Garcia said local and foreign visitors also expressed their thanks to the hospitality of Cebuanos when they visited different towns and cities in Southern Cebu.

The three-day Suroy Suroy Sugbo started in the town of Minglanilla last Wednesday and ended in Talisay City where a short program was made.

Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez led city officials in welcoming the visitors, some of them local and foreign tourists.

Some of the balikbayans who had witnessed the Sinulog last Sunday joined the Suroy Suroy Sugbo Southern Trail.

Presidential aspirant Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro joined the first day of the Suroy Suroy, held from Minglanilla to Argao town, where a manifesto of support for his candidacy was signed by 30 governors, mayors and other local chief executives.

Governor Garcia led the other governors in presenting the copy of the manifesto to Teodoro in a simple ceremony in front of Argao’s Hall of Justice Building.

Senatorial aspirant Adel Tamano also joined Teodoro during the first day of the Suroy Suroy.

Another manifesto of support for Teodoro’s presidential bid also signed by the mayors from Regions 6, 7 and 8, which composes the whole Visayas.

Other politicians who joined the Suroy Suroy Sugbo were vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda and senatorial candidates Gwen Pimentel and Gilbert Remulla.

Legarda, Pimentel and Remulla said the program is beneficial to Cebu as it has helped bring in tourists to the province.

Second district Provincial Board Members Wilfredo Caminero and Peter Calderon, who joined the group of Garcia, said they fully supported the program of the governor.

Businessman Glenn Soco, who joined Garcia in the three-day event, said that he observed the number of visitors who joined the Suroy Suroy every year.

Soco said there is a need to continue the activity every year.

The visitors visited churches and other places of the southern towns where they were entertained with folk dances. — Jose P. Sollano/LPM    (FREEMAN NEWS)