CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Treasurer's Office Officer-in-charge Emmanuel Guial said the P3 million assistance for the Sinulog has already been released last December as the fund is sourced from the 2016 annual budget.
"Apil dyud ni siya sa budget for 2017. Naa na ni siya’y appropriation sa 2016 funds, kay di man ta ka release ana'g 2017, kay ang appropriation ana kay January 1 man, holiday, so di ta ka process ana," he said.
Guial said that had they started processing the assistance on January 3, the first working day of the year, since there would no longer be enough time as the amount is needed even prior to the event.
"Apiki na man kung ari na nato sa 2017 i-release kay… kinahanglanon na man nila ang budget for prior costs and expenses," he said.
He reminded the Sinulog Foundation Inc. to submit "not just partial, but full liquidation" of the amount before financial assistance for the next Sinulog could be released.
Meanwhile, Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday said the province would prioritize security of the Sinulog grand parade, especially that contestants of the Miss Universe beauty pageant are expected to join and dance.
He said this in the light of a recent bombing incident in Hilongos, Leyte that injured several people during a town gathering.
The governor said security is always a challenge in any major event where a huge crowd is expected, more so with the coming Sinulog.
"Security has always been the priority. Especially karon, mora'g moapil sad ang Miss Universe (candidates) sa Sinulog, mosayaw sad daw sila. Samot na jud ning daghan kaayo 'ta'g participants," he said.
Davide also opposed the idea of cutting off communication during Sinulog events for security purposes.
"Lisod kaayo na atong wagtangon ang communication because not just the civilian, but our officials and the authorities also need it. But we'll see noh, tan-awon nato kung unsay angay natong himoon ani," he said.
But he reminded the public to be always vigilant and watchful. — USJ-R Com /RHM (FREEMAN)