No proposed budget yet for 2027 Sinulog

Local

FOUR months before the Sinulog 2027 festivities, the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) has yet to finalize a proposed budget as organizers assess the impact of inflation and rising fuel costs on next year’s celebration.

SFI Executive Director Jojo Labella said the foundation remains in the process of determining the expenses for the annual festival, with budget deliberations expected to continue in the coming months.

“Wala pa’y [proposed budget]. We’re still working on it. We will be doing a lot of the deliberations, especially on the budget that will be proposed in all aspects of expenses,” Labella said in an interview.

The Executive Committee is planning to meet every two weeks to deliberate on the proposed budget and expenses for the different aspects of the festival, including marketing and other operational requirements, he said.

Labella said the foundation is also considering the effects of inflation and fuel costs as it plans next year’s activities.

“It is actually an accepted fact that crisis man jud because of inflation. Fuel crisis, ’di ba? So, we’re still getting the feel of it,” he said.

He said SFI is still assessing whether proposed events would attract enough contingents while noting that several groups have already signified their intention to participate.

Meanwhile, seven contingents from the province that participated in this year’s Halad sa Pagtuo are also expected to join the Sinulog Grand Parade, according to Labella.

Despite the financial considerations, organizers are preparing for an expanded lineup of activities for 2027. One new event under consideration is an on-the-spot painting competition as part of the festival’s visual arts component.

The competition will be held alongside cultural and historical activities, allowing spectators to watch the artists work during the event, Labella said.

The foundation is also coordinating with the city government on the festival calendar, particularly to ensure that cultural activities do not conflict with religious observances.

The opening salvo is set for Jan. 7, while the Sinulog Grand Parade is scheduled for Jan. 17, Labella said.

For the venue, the 2027 festivities will continue at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), according to the foundation.

Labella said SFI has not yet discussed a possible 2027 subsidy from the provincial government with Gov. Pamela Baricuatro.

He noted that the provincial government had provided support for the previous year, although the release of those funds involved government processes.

He said organizers are aiming to maintain the orderly conduct of the previous year’s celebration while keeping the festival entertaining and festive for the public.

The budget proposal will still have to undergo further deliberations before it is finalized, leaving the total funding requirement for Sinulog 2027 undetermined for now.(TGP)