As sinulog plans remain hazy: Hotels, resorts in quandary

CEBU, Philippines — Changes in the leadership organizing the Sinulog Festival has posed a challenge to the hospitality sector in Cebu, as concrete plans for the festival are yet to be finalized.

“We have a huge challenge for the Sinulog 2020 season as we are not privy to the detailed plans on what we can expect,” said Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) president Carlo Suarez.

Unlike in the past years, that as early as November to December, hotels are already busy preparing for the highest occupancy season in Cebu, the Sinulog.

At present, Suarez said hotels are unable to promote full blast “without knowing the programs and restrictions during Sinulog.”

Few months back, Mayor Edgardo Labella has signed an Executive Order that created the Sinulog Governing Board with the primary role of organizing and overseeing the Sinulog Festival held every January.

In the EO signed last August, the Sinulog Governing Board will be chaired by Labella as Cebu City Mayor.

The governing board will have 24 members including the Provincial Governor of Cebu.

Aside from the provincial government, members of the government include eight appointees of the mayor, five trustees of the Sinulog Foundation, Inc. (SFI), two members of the Cebu City Council, Chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), and the Division Superintendent of the Department of Education Cebu City.

As a regulatory board, the Sinulog Governing Board has the right to review and approve all resolutions and actions of the SFI’s Executive Committee.