Why Garcia chooses CCSC

CEBU, Philippines — Complaints against this year’s Sinulog being held at the South Road Properties (SRP) are among the contributory factors that prompted acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia in announcing that the festivity would be held again at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

He reaffirmed this decision in an interview with reporters yesterday, after announcing it the first time last Wednesday, during the opening of the One Cebu Expo at SM Seaside City Cebu.

Daghan kaayog reklamo from the dancers,” Garcia said.

He said the complaints include lack of shade, comfort rooms, and water, and these were aside from the general clamor of the public for the return of the Sinulog at the CCSC.

On why he is making the decision, he said he would still be the acting mayor until November this year, and preparations should already start in September. That is why this early, he already made it clear where the Sinulog would be held.

Garcia assumed position as acting mayor last May 10, temporarily replacing Mayor Michael Rama, who was placed under preventive suspension for six months after four employees complained before the Office of the Ombudsman that they were not paid their salary and other wages for 10 months.

“I cannot wait anymore nga mag-planning ta November sugod kay December, January, Sinulog na; nya holidays baya na, taas baya na, daghan na nga walay meetings, daghan na og walay trabaho because of holidays,” he said yesterday.

He said that since he is still the mayor next month, the city government will begin the preparations for Sinulog 2025 and already involving the Sinulog Foundation and the Sinulog executive committee.

“And I will tell them that my direction, is, kay nag-planning na man ta karon, and my direction is to hold (Sinulog 2025) at Cebu City Sports Center,” Garcia said.

He said that since preparations will begin in September and Rama’s suspension will end in November, it would be up to the mayor to carry out what he has started.

“If iya ng ilisdan, wa na koy mahimo kay di na man ko mayor (in November). Pero naghimo na ko’g plano para sa Sinulog, which venue will be the CCSC,” Garcia said.

He said it is only fitting that the festivity will be held at the CCSC because the facility would already be fully refurbished and rehabilitated.

He said the Cebu City Government has already spent money to finance the sprucing up of the CCSC, including the installation of LED walls and electrical rewiring.

“It is perfect for Sinulog,” Garcia said.

Talking about the ongoing civil works of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT), which stretches over Osmen?a Blvd. from the corner of P. del Rosario to the Capitol area, Garcia said it didn’t become a problem last year when some of the events where held at the said location.

For this year, the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan and the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan were also conducted at the CCSC, while the grand parade and the street dancing were done at the SRP.

Rama, though, had remained firm that Sinulog 2025 will remain at SRP, in a comment after learning of Garcia’s announcement. — (FREEMAN)