The Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) must first liquidate previous donations it received from the Cebu provincial government before it can get the P1-million aid pledged for the 2014 festivities.
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said foundation聽 headed by Ricky Ballesteros has to comply with this聽 so聽 the province can avoid being questioned lated by state auditors.
Last聽 year,聽 released of聽 the Capitol鈥檚 P500,000 donation聽 was also delayed due to SFI鈥檚 failure to account for the past year鈥檚 monetary aid.
鈥淭hey have not liquidated the past year鈥檚 donations as of yet according to Mr. Ballesteros and our rule here is, although we already pledged, we cannot physically deliver that until they can liquidate the assistance that was given to them in the previous years,鈥� Davide told reporters yesterday.
鈥淭hat pledge remains good and until they can liquidate that, that鈥檚 the time that it will be released because we might get questioned by COA (Commission on Audit),鈥� he added.
Ballesteros earlier described the donation as a 鈥渂ig help鈥� to cover the foundation鈥檚 expenses for the annual festival, which includes聽 cash prizes for dance contingents, a pageant, and other activities leading to the grand parade.
Capitol float
Capitol officials also decided to have a float representing the Province of Cebu in the grand parade on January 19.
Davide said they are studying the cost because 鈥渋t might be too expensive鈥� given the present status of the Capitol coffers.
Provincial tourism officer Mary Grace Paulino last night confirmed that Cebu province would mount a float to be built by the engineering department.
A theme of 鈥渞ebuilding Cebu鈥� is being considered.
The last time the Capitol聽 commissioned a float was more than 10 years ago during the administration of Gov. Pablo Garcia.
Vice Gov. Agnes Magpgale said she and the governor would not be riding on the聽 float though.