AFTER two years of closure, Museo Sugbo will once again welcome visitors on August 28, 2025, coinciding with Cebu’s founding anniversary and the observance of Heritage Month.

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro ordered the museum’s reopening, with the aim of reaffirming the Capitol’s commitment to preserving Cebuano culture and history.

Her chief of staff, Paulo Uy, said the target date aligns with the province’s Charter Day and heritage celebrations, making the occasion more meaningful.

Uy told MyTV Cebu that rehabilitation works are underway to address visible cracks along the museum’s outer walls, a concern previously raised by residents.

Structural repairs, particularly on the ceiling and deteriorated areas, are being prioritized to ensure the safety of both artifacts and visitors.

“We need to carry out some minor repairs, as there are a few areas that are already dilapidated, to ensure the safety of the items inside as they are valuable and irreplaceable,” Uy said.

Aside from structural upgrades, the provincial government is eyeing several new features inside the museum.

These include the establishment of a souvenir shop and a coffee shop to enhance the visitor experience and attract more foot traffic, especially from the younger generation.

Cleaning operations are also ongoing to remove overgrown vegetation and clear surrounding areas.

Museo Sugbo, formerly the Carcel de Cebu, was built in 1869 and served as the province’s jail for over a century.

It was repurposed in 2008 into a museum showcasing Cebu’s pre-colonial artifacts, Spanish-era relics, wartime memorabilia, and other historical exhibits.

At its peak before the closure, it drew about 20,000 visitors annually.

Uy noted that the museum was shut down under the previous administration due to what was deemed as “high operational costs and low income.”

However, he emphasized that the Baricuatro administration views the institution as a cultural investment, not a financial liability.

“You really can’t put a price on heritage,” Uy said.

Entrance fees of P10 to P20 are being considered, with the option to use the amount as a discount for food or souvenir purchases within the museum.

These minimal charges are intended to help cover maintenance without discouraging access.

In a statement posted on the Cebu Province Facebook page, Jose Eleazar “Jojo” Bersales, the Capitol’s consultant on heritage and museum affairs, welcomed the move to reopen Museo Sugbo.

"I’m very happy that Gov. Pam has decided to re-open the museum… Museums are not earning institutions. They are to be supported,” he said.

Originally designed by Spanish architect Domingo de Escondrillas, the building also served as a horse stable during the American period and a detention center operated by the Japanese secret police in World War II.

Its transformation into a museum began in 2004, after the transfer of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center to Barangay Kalunasan.

As the museum prepares to reopen, the Capitol hopes that renewed public interest will follow not just in the museum’s physical space, but in the deeper understanding of Cebuano identity it seeks to preserve.(MyTVCebu)

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• #Museo Sugbo
• #Heritage Month
• #Pamela Baricuatro
• #Museum
• #Reopening
• #Charter Day
• #Carcel de Cebu