Cebu’s Museo Sugbo to Reopen to the Public in August 2025

Located within the former Cebu Provincial Jail a few blocks from the Plaza Independencia, Museo Sugbo has been closed for the past two years due to low income.

However, the appointment of the new Cebu Provincial Government under Governor Pam Baricuatro comes with a massive update. She has sent a directive to officially reopen the museum on August 28, 2025. 

Baricuatro, according to an article in The Freeman, emphasized preserving Cebuano history through accessible heritage spaces. (2025) The Museo Sugbo is notable for several galleries highlighting the culture, traditions, and natural resources of Cebu.   

Before the arrival of the National Museum of the Philippines, the Cebu Provincial Museum was the island’s biggest depository for artifacts and antiques, reportedly drawing more than 20,000 visitors a month prior to its temporary closure.

STRUCTURAL AND OPERATIONAL CHANGES 

In an interview with SunStar Cebu, Provincial Chief of Staff Paolo Uy mentioned there will be a few minor repairs to ensure visitors’ safety. This includes addressing structural wear and tear on the ceiling and other dilapidated areas. (2025)

In an effort to entice the younger generations, they are also setting up a cafe and souvenir shop inside. 

Uy mentioned that people often visit a location solely for its food or products, so having this at Museo Sugbo lets guests enjoy their time as they learn about and appreciate Cebu’s heritage. 

A minimum entrance fee of around 10 to 20 pesos may be used as a discount for items sold at the museum. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSEO SUGBO

Uy, in the aforementioned SunStar interview, mentioned that the previous administration believed maintaining the museum was going to be a financial burden.

He later emphasized, “You can’t really put a price on heritage, can you?” 

A museum in Cebu helps preserve its culture, giving visitors a sense of identity to understand their history. Aside from its artifacts, the mostly stone structure also preserves the architecture of a bygone era.

Jobers Bersales, the head curator of the museum, mentioned that places like Museo Sugbo may not be earning institutions, but they still need to be supported. They serve as fun alternatives to books that some people oftentimes find hard to pick up.  

Historical museums like this offer a more visual and dynamic setup to make learning more interesting.