Aid to Daanbantayan is "payback" for town's support to Sinulog - Rama

CEBU, Philippines - The city government intends to assist Daabantayan town in the latter’s celebration of Haladayan Festival amidst criticisms from the provincial government.

Mayor Michael Rama said the city is just staying true to the principles of the Big Brother Program wherein Cebu City extends help to its neighboring or partner cities and municipalities.

“Cebu city will continue to make the big brother program alive. Naa man sad na sa bibliya, the real charity is when it hurts. Therefore, it is not precondition that you must have many and so much. The more that you should be sharing when you have so much,” Rama said.

He, however, said that the city might not be able to provide the P500,000 requested by Daanbantayan. 

“I have to check if by now, P500,000 ba lang gihapon. Depende man gud na, kung manobra sad dili sakto,” Rama said.

Daanbantayan caught the ire of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia when Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot sought financial assistance for the town’s festival despite the municipality’s failure to participate in the recent Capitol-initiated Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

But Rama said he saw the sincerity of Daanbantayan to hold the Haladaya Festival when the town’s Council held a special session on August 23, which was followed by a letter from Loot herself requesting assistance from Cebu City.

Rama said provincial government did not have to insult Cebu City by saying it has its own problems to solve first before it should decide to help others.

“I made it very clear nga let’s not put personalities. Di sad ta manginsulto nga naa sad mi problema. I mean, that’s the way we manage Cebu City. If one is in need and if it is going to make them die, then you share…because that’s how you want to serve,” Rama said.

Furthermore, Cebu City’s intention to help Daanbantayan is reportedly in line with the city’s constant participation in the annual Sinulog. It was only last year that Daanbantayan missed the festival.

“Ang akong premise, ang Daanbantayan, in line with Sinulog Festival, they’ve always been around. Records are convincing that they’ve always been joining. There was only a year na wala sila ka-join, that was last year. Sort of payback karon,” Rama explained.

Rama said he does not want to think that Garcia will use the issue to hamper the renegotiation for the 93-1 issue. He said the city government will continue to prepare for the negotiation as he has earlier promised. (FREEMAN)