Rama asks council to back Basakanon’s bid for Aliwan

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has warned the members of the City Council that it would be a great mistake not to support Tribu Lumad Basakanon’s bid to join the Aliwan Festival next month because the contingent has better chances of giving the city another source of pride.

The Tribu Lumad Basakanon headed by the mayor’s cousin, Basak-San Nicolas Barangay Captain George Rama, requested for P3 million budget from the city government’s share of the Pagcor Fund.

The request was referred by the city council to the committee on budget and finance headed by Councilor Margot Osmeña.

Rama has already approved the request but the council is yet to tackle on the matter. The next council session is on April 3 where Osmeña’s committee is expected to render a report.

Should the request be approved, it would not be earlier than April 10, the next session day after April 3, which is already late because the contingent had to leave for Manila already on that day.

Rama said the council should expedite  the approval of the request to facilitate the preparation needed for the contingent.

The mayor has reminded the city council about the honors that the Tribu Lumad Basakanon has given to the city in the past.

The contingent had been grand champion in the Aliwan Festival for three consecutive years in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

The Aliwan Festival is the grandest of all festivals nationwide because it is where the champions of different festivals will compete every year.

Rama said he will also try his best to look for some other funds if the city council will not grant the request on time.  (FREEMAN)