Gwen visits Sanchez Bailiwick

CEBU, Philippines -Contrary to reports, a warm welcome greeted Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday in the municipality of Tuburan, the birthplace of the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. as she led yesterday another round of Suroy Suroy Sugbo Explore the Midwest.

An earlier report said that some groups will display banners and placards stating that Garcia and the Suroy Suroy Sugbo are not welcome in Tuburan, after Garcia was accused of having contributed to the stress of Sanchez that resulted in his failing health and eventually, death.

It was noticed that from the boundary of the Asturias and Tuburan down to Molobolo Spring up to the municipality of Tabuelan, which used to be part of Tuburan, residents, students and pupils in uniform with flaglets lined up every barangay and junctions to greet the convoy.

People expressed their love for Garcia through placards and streamers.Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante, an ally of Sanchez, confirmed receiving such report, prompting him to impose a counter move by mobilizing the people to prove the report as false.

“Kung naa pa, ako mismo ang molangkat,” Diamante told reporters in the presence of Garcia at their town plaza where guests were entertained.

It was the first time Garcia visited Tuburan since Diamante’s assumption as mayor last year.

Diamante belongs to Liberal Party but he said he was the first party member who visited Garcia at the Capitol after winning in the election, saying his service is for the people and not for himself.

Garcia does not deliver a speech in any town during the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo but yesterday she gave an exception to express her heartfelt response to the people of Tuburan.

With the celebration of Philippine Independence Day today, municipalities yesterday offered guests the experience on how Filipinos observe such an occasion.

In Astrurias, guests were given yellow and red roses and placed these before the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal and eventually formed “I Love Asturias.”

Garcia, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, town officials, foreign guests including Chinese Consul-General He Shi Jing and some Koreans joined the offering of flowers.

Mayor Allan Adlawan said they intended to show to tourists how Filipinos appreciated the heroes in the country especially since the 150th birthday of Rizal will be commemorated on June 19.

In Balamban, Mayor Ace Stefan Binghay led the guests in touring the Tsuneishi Heavy Industries where huge bulk carriers are built.

The first day the two-day activity ended in Tabuelan where guests were given the chance to see the sunset along the beach. (FREEMAN)