Raymond Garcia: Both SRP, CCSC ‘feasible’ for Sinulog 2024

Discussions about the venue for Sinulog 2024 are ongoing after several government officials raised concerns about holding the grand parade at the South Road Properties.| CDN File Photo/Niña Mae Oliverio

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, following a thorough evaluation on Monday, December 11, expressed confidence in the feasibility of the two potential Sinulog venues — the South Road Properties (SRP) and the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

The assessment was conducted during their ocular visit to both venues, aimed at checking the advancements in the venue’s development for the Sinulog grand parade on January 21, 2024.

At around 9 a.m. Monday, Garcia went first to the SRP, together with Cebu City Councilors Phillip Zafra, Jerry Guardo, Dondon Hontiveros, and personnel from the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), and Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) Exec. Director Elmer “Jojo” Labella.

In addition to inspecting the stage for the showdown, they also walked through the parade route, known as the ‘carousel route,’ to assess its suitability for street dancing.

About two hours later, they visited the CCSC to assess the venue and determine the better option.

“Feasible ang duha. Option A and option B are both feasible. Magpahimo lang mi og comparative data as to what are the pros and cons if we use option A or if we use option B,” Garcia said.

Several factors pointed out

Garcia said that among the factors that they considered are the safety of the spectators, performers, and visitors.

They also considered which of the venues they can spend less for the preparation.

“Asa may dako og expenses? Didto ba (SRP) or diri ba (Abellana) and we take everything into consideration, we’ll bring it up to the executive committee (of Sinulog) and then the executive committee will bring it up to Mayor Mike [Rama] when he arrives,” Garcia said.

Garcia assured that the ongoing works for the Sinulog venues will not be halted and they will “just choose” thereafter.

“Kay total, ang katong sa SRP, kinahanglan man gyud to nato i-develop. Kinahanglan man gyud ta mo-butang og aspalto for example. So, we will do everything simultaneously and then we will present this, nya tan-awon nato what does the execom together with the mayor will decide on,” he said.

Oval’s renovation

During the interview with Garcia, the topic of finishing the oval in the sports center was brought up. To recall, CCSC Executive Director Jovito Taborada said last November 13 that they aim to complete the oval’s renovation by February 2024. This timeline is set to align with the use of the sports center for the Cebu City Olympics and the Central Visayas Regional Athletics Association (CVIRAA) meet.

“Ang ato man gud oval is nagtaod man gud ta og rubber. Atong e-rubberized life before. Karon, gitang-tang ang rubber…perfect, magamit pato gihapon atong oval. Mas maayo gani nga wa ang rubber kay og naa ang rubber, daghan mo-tunob, mo-agi ang float, mo-agi ang sakyanan, maguba nasad,” he said.

He added that upon seeing the current status of the oval, he said that it can be used even without the rubber surface. The contractor can install the rubber right after the Sinulog to prepare for the CVIRAA and Palarong Pambansa events scheduled for 2024.

BRT Construction

It can be recalled that due to the ongoing construction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along Osmeña Boulevard, SRP was the chosen venue for the Sinulog.

Due to BRT construction, new routes for the Fiesta Señor foot processions were made on November 15. However, after Rama objected on November 28, the routes were reverted to the original path passing through Osmeña Boulevard.

“This is the same site (Osmeña Boulevard) sa atong Walk for Mary and Walk for Jesus. Nganong dili man pwede for our Sinulog nga mao raman gihapon ning rutaha?” Garcia said.

He added that he was already instructed to have a meeting with the contractors of the BRT to see what they can do to prepare the road not only for the foot processions but also for the “possible Sinulog grand parade.”

When asked when they could decide which venue to pick, Garcia said that the public just has to wait.

“Pero I have already made a clear stand…Ako, I prefer gyud diri sa Abellana…For me, it’s the most practical kay naa na ang bleachers, naa na’ng oval, dako na nga area and I think also it’s the least expensive…Didto sa SRP, we still have to asphalt pila ka kilometro, that will cost us a few hundreds of millions. Mao na nga usa sad na sa atong gi-consider that’s why niingon ko most practical and most logical ang diri sa Abellana,” he said.

Garcia said that they have allocated P100 million for road asphalting and acknowledged that this is “costly.”

Garcia said they set aside P100 million for road asphalting, acknowledging that it’s a costly move.

“Ang BRT area, wa man tay gasto ani kay ang contractor raman ani. Nya didto sa mga area (in the original route) nga agian sa parade route, it’s already asphalted. Og naa man gani, patching nalang so it’s not that expensive. Dako gyud ang gasto kung didto [sa SRP],” Garcia said.

Concerns on the final venue

The Sinulog 2024 venue at SRP was officially announced last November 14.

But last December 6, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that the province will give their full support to Sinulog if it returns back to CCSC.

She expressed this during her meeting with Labella together with Cinbeth Orellano, Cebu City chief protocol officer, Engr. Ricky Dakay of Dakay Construction, Provincial Board member Red Duterte, and provincial tourism officer Marti Ybañez.

On December 8, Raymond supported the governor’s choice to bring back the Sinulog 2024 venue to CCSC.

CDN Digital already reached out to Rama who is still in Australia as of press time, but he has yet to give his statement on this matter. /clorenciana

READ MORE: Cebu City eyes ‘Sinulog Philippines’ for 2024