Labella says: Sinulog successful but review necessary

CEBU, Philippines — Despite the issues that emerged, Mayor Edgardo Labella considers the staging of this year’s Sinulog Festival a success, emphasizing, nevertheless, the need for an assessment to answer prevailing questions.

This is the first Sinulog the city organized with Labella as mayor. He won in the 2019 polls.

"I think since there are no proper guidelines, it would seem that there were some questions and I think these can be addressed if there are proper guidelines," Labella told reporters yesterday.

As early as last year, preparations were marred by controversy when Vice Mayor Michael Rama stepped down as chairman of the Sinulog Foundation, Inc. (SFI) after Labella created the Sinulog Governing Board.

Just days before the finale on Sunday, organizers had to explain why it agreed to an exclusive broadcast contract for the Grand Parade coverage. This led to Labella cancelling the exclusive broadcast rights SFI granted to local television channel MYtv.

Virginia Foods, Inc. (VFI) also sought Labella’s help after SFI allegedly barred the company and other firms from selling their products at Sinulog-related activities with SFI accommodating only one company.

Labella said he was not aware of the agreements. SFI is headed by his brother, Elmer Labella.

Also, just five days before the Grand Parade, 5,000 tickets had yet to be sold.

But the public response on the Grand Parade day seemed to have dwarfed the issues. An estimated 2 million attended the event.

"Despite the scorching heat, people were not discouraged to watch the Grand Parade," the mayor said.

He thanked the Sinulog officials, particularly Sinulog Foundation President Engr. Pericles Dakay, and event volunteers for the work.

He also thanked the public for cooperating, especially that cellphone signals had to be shut off during Sinulog-related events over the weekend like the fluvial procession, foot procession, and Grand Parade for security purposes.

Telecom companies shut the phone signals off upon the directive of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) upon the recommendation of the police.

Labella said he is thankful for the presence of Police Regional Office-7 Director Valeriano de Leon and Cebu City Police Office Director Engelbert Soriano, and he thanked President Rodrigo Duterte personally for their assignments here.

"Thank you that you have assigned good soldiers in the city," he told Duterte.

Duterte attended the Sinulog grand showdown at the City Sports Center where he watched two performances and promised to help the city with its traffic problem. (FREEMAN)