What pride? – Tomas on Lumad Basakanon

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City does not lose anything by deciding not to send Tribu Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak-San Nicolas to the famous Aliwan Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on April 13.

This is according to Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña who made the remarks yesterday in reaction to the statement of Mayor Michael Rama and other organizers of Tribu Lumad Basakanon that the failure of the cultural group to join the Aliwan Festival could be a great loss to the city.

After winning the Aliwan Festival as grand champion for three times in 2005, 2006 and 2007, Basak-San Nicolas Barangay Captain George Rama was hopeful that the Tribu Lumad Basakanon may again give another pride to Cebu City this year.

But on this, Osmeña said, “What pride they are talking about?”

He said that when the Tribu Lumad Basakanon won during his term as mayor, this never came out in the newspaper in Manila, only in Cebu City.

Osmeña added that the Tribu Lumad Basakanon was not even declared grand champion during the last Sinulog festival. The organizers of the Tribu Lumad Basakanon had decided to call off their intention to join the Aliwan Festival because of lack of funds.

The City Council approved the report of the committee on budget and finance headed by Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña to reject the request that the needed P3 million expenses of the Tribu Lumad Basakanon in going to Pasay City be charged to the Pagcor Funds.

Pagcor Funds is a trust fund account where all donations coming from the Philippine  Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) is deposited for specific purposes.

Every month, Pagcor is giving P3 million to Cebu City as share for allowing the operation of the Casino Filipino within its territorial jurisdiction.

Councilor Osmeña said spending the Pagcor donations for cultural activities is not within the guidelines set by the donor.

According to guidelines, Pagcor funds must be spent for economic livelihood projects, infrastructure projects and basic health services. Others are projects designed to prevent widespread disease, the improvement of peace and order, emergency assistance to victims of natural disasters and calamities, as well as projects for social amelioration.

The lawmaker further said that the City Council did not single out the Tribu Lumad Basakanon because the budget requested for the holding of the Mango Festival and Buwad Festival was also disapproved for the same reasons.  (FREEMAN)