Guv wants "Suroy-Suroy" to be institutionalized

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is pondering on “institutionalizing” the rural tourism program “Suroy-Suroy Sugbo” so the same will continue beyond her term.

The three-day “Suroy-Suroy Sugbo - Northern Escapade” culminated successfully last Friday evening in Liloan town.

Garcia said each time the activity is held, the towns are challenged to present something better than what they have presented the year before.

She told guests during the closing ceremony that she will raise the standards of the Suroy-Suroy in her remaining two years in office.

“As long as I am here for the next two years, we will continue to raise that bar to continue to push this province to even greater heights to all of our programs through this Suroy-Suroy program that has allowed our towns and cities to blossom and that has allowed our people to be proud, proud to be Cebuanos,” Garcia said.

She urged the next governor to continue the program and to make the same a brand name for the province.

Garcia considered it a miracle for the weather to cooperate considering that it has been raining for days prior to the start of the Suroy-Suroy. The sun shone just as the guests crossed Bantayan Island.

“You realize the whole time that there’s really is a great power that watches over the affairs of man and when you are going on a right track and on the right direction,” Garcia said.

Thelma Oliva-Cenabre who spoke in behalf of the guests said the activity has exceeded her expectations.

“On a scale from 1 to 10, it is definitely an 11,” Cenabre said. Cenabre works at the South Nevada Health Department in the United States and is an active member of the Philippine Bisayan Society of Nevada.

She thanked everybody involved in the activity for accommodating them warmly.

“They tried to accommodate and they did accommodate us with a smile and with no attitude, you don’t see that much in the United States. It’s very heartwarming to have that kind of welcome,” Cenabre said.

She said she will definitely come back and will even promote the “wonderful experience” to their friends, relatives and co-workers abroad.

Garcia thanked all guests for taking part in the Suroy-Suroy and for taking time to visit the towns in the province.

The Suroy-Suroy - Northern Escapade was the first trip to the northern part of Cebu this year. The activity covered all towns and cities in the north from Consolacion up to Bantayan Island, except the town of Daanbantayan. (FREEMAN)