By I. Inojales, Helen Castaño | 11:16 AM July 31, 2026
TAGBILARAN CITY — The provincial government of Bohol has clarified the status of the development project grants awarded to winners of the Sandugo sa Bohol Grand Showdown, saying the release of incentives is subject to documentary requirements and government procedures.
In an official statement, the Provincial Government, through the Local Government Affairs (LGA) and the Bohol Center for Culture and Arts Development (BCCAD), said it has consistently prioritized the prompt processing and release of the grants but emphasized that disbursement of public funds must comply with existing laws, auditing rules, and government regulations.
According to the provincial government, all development project grants awarded to the winners of the 2023 Sandugo sa Bohol Grand Showdown have already been released.
For the 2024 edition, the Capitol said only the Municipality of Loay has yet to receive its development project grant due to discrepancies in the documentary requirements submitted. It explained that the documents had to be corrected and the processing restarted, including the required legislative deliberations and approvals.
The provincial government said it has been closely coordinating with the Loay local government to facilitate the completion of the requirements needed for the grant’s release.
Meanwhile, the Capitol said the development project grants for the winners of the 2025 Sandugo sa Bohol Grand Showdown are scheduled for release within the year after the completion of the required processing and documentation.
It added that the grants for the winners of the recently concluded 2026 Sandugo sa Bohol Grand Showdown are programmed for release in 2027.
The provincial government also expressed appreciation to participating local government units, performers, artists, and volunteers for their continued support of the annual cultural event, reiterating its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the faithful delivery of its commitments to the Boholano people.
The statement came after Loay Mayor Hilario Ayuban Jr. said that while Banay Loaynon has consistently placed among the top winners in the Sandugo Grand Showdown, several infrastructure project incentives awarded to the municipality remain pending.
Ayuban said Banay Loaynon was organized in 2023 to showcase the talents of young Loaynons, particularly because the historic Sandugo or Blood Compact took place in Loay. He said the municipality also joined the competition to secure infrastructure projects offered as festival incentives, noting that Loay, a fourth- to fifth-class municipality, has limited resources for development.
He added that participation in the contingent also provides opportunities for young performers to qualify for scholarship programs.
Banay Loaynon finished first runner-up in both 2023 and 2024, earning P15-million infrastructure projects each year. The 2023 incentive funded the concreting of the Baybay Village road leading to the municipal hall, an area previously prone to flooding.
For 2024, the contingent won another P15-million road concreting project connecting Botoc Oriental and Botoc Occidental to Morning Hills, which Ayuban said has yet to be released.
In 2025, Banay Loaynon placed second runner-up and earned a P6.5-million project for the concreting and completion of roads around the public market and municipal hall. Ayuban said the incentive remains pending.
This year, the contingent again finished second runner-up, securing another P6.5-million allocation intended for improvements to the Loay People’s Center, which the mayor also said has not yet been released.
Overall, Ayuban said the municipality is still awaiting the release of the development project grants awarded for its 2024, 2025, and 2026 Sandugo Grand Showdown performances, while the provincial government maintains that the remaining grants are undergoing the required government processing.
