Festival of Festivals: Guv eyes P1 million subsidy for contingents

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the Cebu Provincial Government was considering providing subsidies of up to ₱1 million for contingents joining the proposed “Festival of Festivals” to help cover preparation and logistical costs.

The financial assistance forms part of the Capitol’s plan to stage a more modest and cost-efficient cultural showcase, which is being positioned as a smaller alternative to the previous administration’s Pasigarbo sa Sugbo festival.

Baricuatro said the event was expected to feature 15 contingents from Cebu’s component cities and municipalities, with each delegation consisting of around 60 to 100 performers.

READ: Cebu eyes scaled-down Festival of Festivals

Under the proposal, each participating contingent would receive ₱1 million in financial assistance, while groups coming from Bantayan Island and the Camotes Islands could receive up to ₱1.5 million due to additional transportation expenses.

The governor said many of the expected participants had already competed or performed in local festivals earlier this year, reducing the need for extensive preparations.

“It won’t cost that much anymore because they’ve already practiced and organized everything,” Baricuatro said on Wednesday. “This is not a Pasigarbo. They don’t need to start from scratch.”

Baricuatro explained that most contingents already had the necessary materials and performances prepared.

READ: Cebu to mark 456th founding anniversary without ‘Pasigarbo’

“They don’t need much because they already have costumes, choreography, and props. So their subsidy is mostly just for logistics,” she said in a mix of Cebuano and English.

Budget capped at ₱20 million

The governor said the proposed festival would operate on an estimated budget of ₱20 million, significantly lower than previous editions of Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, which she said typically required at least ₱200 million.

Baricuatro earlier clarified that her criticism of the expenses associated with Pasigarbo should not be interpreted as opposition to Cebu’s cultural and creative scene.

She said the planned festival would still provide local government units with a platform to showcase their talents, artistry, and cultural traditions before a wider audience.

READ: Pasigarbo sa Sugbo through the years: The venues

The governor also emphasized that the province could no longer sustain the level of spending previously allotted for Pasigarbo and would instead focus on extending logistical assistance to participating groups.

Selection of participants

Baricuatro said the event would only proceed if all 15 slots would be filled by interested local government units.

She stressed that participation would remain voluntary and that no city or municipality would be required to join.

“We just want to see who wants to participate,” Baricuatro said.

READ: Crowds brave heat for Kaamulan Festival

The governor said slots would be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis once registration opens.

As of this report, the Capitol has yet to announce the official registration schedule for interested contingents.

The proposed “Festival of Festivals” is being eyed for staging at the Cebu City Sports Center in August.

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