
CEBU CITY – The Sinulog sa Carmen in Carmen town, northern Cebu should not be treated as a competition of the Sinulog Festival here.
Gov. Gwen Garcia pointed this out amid insinuations that the Sinulog sa Carmen is being pitted against the Sinulog Festival. Garcia also clarified that she and Mayor Michael Rama here are in good terms.
Ten contingents from Cebu province were supposed to participate in the Sinulog Festival at the South Road Properties here last Jan. 15.
Three days before the competition, Garcia pulled out the 10 contingents from the Sinulog Festival due to safety concerns at the venue.
Garcia said they would only participate if the Sinulog Festival will be transferred to its usual venue, the Cebu City Sports Center. Rama, however, insisted on holding the festival at SRP.
She then announced that the 10 contingents will instead participate in Sinulog sa Carmen scheduled on Sunday, Jan. 22.
Garcia said she has nothing against Rama, saying she and the mayor just exercised their duties as chiefs of the two local government units.
“We, as leaders, have to make our own judgment calls. Mayor Mike wanted it to be in SRP. In fact, the Sinulog Festival pushed through at SRP. On my part, I was responsible for our performers then," Garcia said.
Garcia said she is even thankful to the Cebu City government for supporting the Sinulog sa Carmen.
There will be five contingents from Cebu City that will compete in the Sinulog sa Carmen. Cebu City has sent 400 portable baths that can be used during the festival in Carmen.
During the coordination meeting at the Capitol on Friday night, Jan. 21, Garcia disclosed that she had invited Rama and Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia to the Sinulog in Carmen.
She said that there is no conflict between her and Rama nor with the Cebu City government as insinuated by some other officials.
"There is no need for us to compete against each other. In fact, I commend the leaders of Cebu City for being the first to show statesmanship. I commend Mayor Mike and Vice Mayor Raymond for rising above the pettiness of some people," Garcia said.