Lesser places to visit in “Suroy-Suroy”

CEBU, Philippines - Guests in today’s Suroy-Suroy Sugbo-Southern Getaway will go to fewer places but also get to spend more time in these destinations.

It will also be the first Suroy-Suroy Sugbo without Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for the first time since the program was conceived a few years ago.

Previously known as the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo–Southern Heritage Trail, the trip used to feature 22 municipalities but this time it has been reduced to only seven and two tourist spots in southern Cebu.

Many mayors shied away from participating in the event because of the ongoing Capitol standoff.  Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is presently holed up in the Capitol fighting a suspension order issued against her by Malacañang.

Acting Governor Agnes Magpale, who is in the opposite political camp, is the one leading the activity that will start today until Friday.

Mayors of the participating localities are mostly allied with Magpale of the Liberal Party such as San Fernando, Argao, Santander, Samboan and Barili.

The mayors of Talisay City and Ronda are allied with Garcia.

Provincial Tourism Office in-charge, Grace Paulino, said that they are reserving 200 slots for paying guests, Capitol officials, media and working staff which is lesser than before considering that the itinerary includes crossing over to Sumilon Island in Oslob.

From Plaza Independencia in Cebu City as the assembly area, the participants will start their travel at 7:30 a.m. this morning to San Fernando and have their breakfast and church visit.

After an hour, they will proceed to Argao for a heritage walk and festival presentation for an hour before they will cross to Sumilon Island Resort in Oslob for lunch, relaxation and swimming for three hours.

At 4:30 p.m. they will return to Santander for Sanayon view, festival presentation and dinner before going to their respective resorts for an overnight stay.

Tomorrow, the group will visit museum and heritage sites in Samboan, festival presentation and lunch for two hours before going to Kawasan Falls in Badian where the guests will be allowed to enjoy the place.

On Friday, festival presentation and lunch will be held in the Barili town plaza and the finale and dinner in Talisay City before going back to the Capitol.

Previously, they stops on the Southern Heritage Trail on the first day were in Minglanilla, Naga City, San Fernando, Sibonga, Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy and Boljoon.

The second day were Oslob, Santander, Samboan, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Alegria, Badian and Moalboal while the third day were Alcantara, Ronda, Dumanjug, Barili, Carcar City and Talisay City.

Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia earlier said that majority of the towns particularly those allied with One Cebu in Southern Cebu are not joining the activity that promotes rural tourism. 

Garcia who heads the League of Municipalities in the Philippines - Cebu Chapter said that his members who are allied with One Cebu will not recognize orders and memoranda issued by Magpale until the case of Governor Garcia is finally resolved.  —(FREEMAN)