Capitol to give subsidy to LGUs joining Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government is spending millions of pesos to support the staging of the Sinulog Festival and to subsidize local government units (LGUs) from the province that will compete in the world-renowned celebration.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the province has pledged P10 million in financial assistance to the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) to help cover the logistical and operational requirements of the annual festival.

In addition, the Capitol is allocating P5 million each to participating municipalities and P3 million to each component city joining the Sinulog Grand Showdown. Baricuatro said component cities such as Danao, Toledo, Carcar, and even highly urbanized Mandaue City will each receive P3 million to help defray expenses for training, costumes, props, and logistics.

Participating municipalities including Alcoy, Carmen, Dumanjug, Moalboal, and Asturias will also receive P5 million each, a move the governor said is meant to level the playing field.

“Para fair ang tanan kay mas daghan og kwarta ang component cities compare sa municipalities,” Baricuatro said.

She stressed that the provincial government wants every contingent, regardless of size or budget, to be adequately supported and able to present performances that reflect their culture and faith.

Apart from the financial support, Baricuatro revealed that she will personally take part in the Sinulog dance, describing her participation as a “halad,” or offering, to Señor Sto. Niño.

“There’s going to be a part nga mosayaw ko because it’s halad,” she said, adding that her performance is rooted in her faith and devotion to the Holy Child.

Baricuatro said she will dance with the Danao City guest contingent during the main festivities, noting that it has long been a tradition for sitting governors to join the Sinulog as an expression of devotion. She also encouraged Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival to dance with her.

The governor confirmed that discussions with SFI officials are already underway following her meeting Tuesday with SFI President Engr. Pericles “Ricky” Dakay and Executive Director Elmer “Jojo” Labella to outline the province’s support for the Sinulog 2026 staging.

Joint Barrio Fiesta at Capitol

Baricuatro also agreed to Mayor Archival’s proposal to hold a joint “barrio fiesta” at the Capitol, citing limited space at Cebu City Hall amid the expected influx of visitors.

“We will have a joint barrio fiesta, Señor,” she said, noting that the Capitol Social Hall can better accommodate guests and participants.

Together with Archival, Baricuatro said they will invite key national officials, including President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, Vice President Sara Duterte, senators, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, governors, and members of the League of Cities.

Provincial contingents intensify preparations

Preparations are also intensifying at the local level, with provincial contingents already deep into rehearsals for the Sinulog Grand Parade.

In Carmen, the contingent has been practicing since November, aiming to highlight how the town’s forests served as refuge during disasters, anchored on faith and prayers to Señor Sto. Niño.

Tourism officer Tobi Villamor said preparations were challenged by intermittent power outages, transportation issues, and lingering fears among parents following aftershocks from the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Cebu last September.

Despite these challenges, Villamor said rehearsals have continued, with the contingent now about 70 percent ready and relying partly on recycled materials for props.

Carmen will field 96 dancers, at least 250 propsmen, and more than 60 instrumentalists in its fourth Sinulog appearance under the Free Interpretation category.

Meanwhile, Dumanjug Mayor Gungun Gica said their town has around 200 performers who also began rehearsals in November.

While keeping details of their presentation under wraps, Gica said the theme centers on unity among Cebuanos.

Balik Cebu program

Baricuatro on Wednesday welcomed balikbayans and visitors as she led the launching of this year’s Balik Cebu Program, describing the Sinulog Festival not only as a celebration but also as a symbol of faith, unity, and renewal for Cebuanos.

In her speech, the governor said this year’s Sinulog carries deeper meaning following a series of calamities that struck the province, including earthquakes and typhoons.

“After all the disasters we went through last year—earthquakes, typhoons, and moments that tested our strength—this Sinulog has become a symbol of faith and renewal,” Baricuatro said. “It reminds us that even after hardship, we rise together, guided by our devotion to the Señor Santo Niño.”

She expressed joy in welcoming home Cebuanos and friends of the province who chose to return and celebrate Sinulog in Cebu, calling the occasion a time of shared happiness and cultural pride.

Baricuatro emphasized the role of the Balik Cebu Program in helping balikbayans reconnect not only with their families but also with their faith, culture, and roots.

“Through the Balik Cebu Program, we are glad that you also get to reconnect to your faith, culture, and the place that will always be your home,” she said.

She also thanked tourism partners and stakeholders for their continued support, noting their role in ensuring Cebu remains a welcoming and hopeful destination despite recent challenges.

“To our balikbayans, your presence makes this Sinulog even more meaningful,” the governor added.

Balik Cebu chairperson Tetta Ba-ad said flooding, earthquakes, and landslides have created the impression that it is unsafe to travel to the province, with recent calamities and the negative publicity they generated posing the biggest challenge to Cebu’s tourism industry.

“What is affecting tourism now are the recent calamities because the negative publicity has created the impression that it is unsafe to come to Cebu,” Ba-ad said. “But through the years, we have developed a formula of what worked and what did not.”

She explained that the Balik Cebu Program has settled on familiar offerings that balikbayans look forward to every year, particularly the Sinulog experience, which in previous editions included a welcome dinner featuring multiple Sinulog contingents, cultural performances, and a fiesta atmosphere.

Ba-ad clarified that attendance at the Balik Cebu welcome dinner is not an accurate measure of the total number of balikbayans arriving in Cebu, as many return as early as December, stay with their families, and extend their visit through the Sinulog Festival, often traveling to island towns in Cebu or nearby provinces like Bohol.

In light of recent disasters and the situation of affected communities, the Balik Cebu committee opted to downscale this year’s activities.

Ba-ad said the traditional grand welcome dinner and cultural show were shelved to be sensitive to the current situation. Instead, the program will focus on mall-based activities guided by a Balik Cebu passport that provides information on destinations, activities, and available perks.

On January 15, the Balik Cebu team will welcome international arrivals at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport from morning until midnight, joined by local officials, with music and performances planned for the occasion. — /FPL (FREEMAN)