Pasigarbo, Suroy funds realigned

Cebu Provincial Administrator Joseph Felix Mari “Ace” Durano confirmed that Governor Pamela Baricuatro has ordered the realignment of the P250 million budget initially allocated for the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo and Suroy-Suroy Sugbo programs to a more “holistic tourism development” framework.

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Pasigarbo, which has a P200 million allocation, and Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, with a P50 million budget, will now be reprogrammed to support the four pillars of tourism development: cultural activities, tourism frontliners training, facilities improvement, and tourism promotions.

Durano emphasized that although Pasigarbo does not have a specific ordinance, its implementation is allowed through budgetary appropriation.

Suroy-Suroy, however, is backed by an ordinance, which could raise questions on whether realignment of its funds requires approval from the Provincial Board.

“My understanding is that even if it is supported by an ordinance, provided it is still within the purpose of the ordinance, then you can reprogram it. That falls under executive discretion,” Durano clarified during an interview.

He added that the governor's directive is to ensure that tourism funds remain within their intended purpose.

“For this year, naa naman sa budget, i-reprogram nato pero dapat tourism related activities,” he said.

The Pasigarbo and Suroy-Suroy budgets will be merged and the focus will shift from grand events to sustainable and strategic investments in Cebu’s tourism industry.

According to Durano, the realigned budget will strictly prioritize promoting destinations over personalities.

“Ato lang siguruon nga ig reprogram nato ang destination jud ang ma promote dili tao,” said the provincial Administrator