Gov’s wife to join Suroy as paying guest

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III with his wife Jobel after his proclamation as governor at the Capitol. (CDN FILE PHOTO/ TONEE DESPOJO)

Cebu province’s first lady and her driver will join the three-day Suroy Suroy Sugbo in southern Cebu that starts on Wednesday as paying guests.

That’s how strict the Capitol is in collecting payments from participants, said Gov. Hilario Davide III.

The policy is implemented after state auditors questioned the disparity between in the number of paying and non-paying guests in 2012.

Davide said his wife, Jobel, already paid for the package which costs some P12,000 to P13,000  per participant. Jobel also paid for her driver, according to Cebu Provincial Tourism officer Grace Paulino.

Government auditors noted discrepancies in the Suroy Suroy 2012 with the tour’s expenses amounting to P11.45 million and its revenue collection, P3.79 million.

The Commission on Audit (COA) said participants who were excluded from payment were provincial officials and personnel, security officers, bus and van drivers, tour guides, Sugbo TV staff and the media.

SOUTHERN TOUR

Davide said Jobel will join the whole duration of the tour which will include their hometown  Argao.

The countryside tourism program will include fewer stops but will give visitors more time in each attraction, said Paulino.

The tour will cover five destinations tomorrow: the Carcar City Plaza and museum, Barili’s milk station and Mantayupan falls, Alcantara’s mangroves, the Kawasan Falls in Badian and the heritage parks in Moalboal.

On the second day, tourists will visit Sumilon Island, and the heritage sites in Samboan, Oslob and Santander.

A tour around the old churches in Boljoon, Argao and Sibonga and the farm market visit in Mantalongon, Dalaguete await participants on the last day.