DUMAGUETE CITY, (PNA) -– The provincial government of Negros Oriental is all set for this year’s Buglasan Festival, the province’s premiere socio-cultural showcase which reels off October 11 through Oct 20.
The provincial government has allocated a total P3.7 million in funds for the yearly festival to cover for subsidies for contingents participating in the booth fair and the Buglasan Festival of Festivals street dancing and showdown.
The Negros Oriental Culture and Arts Foundation, Inc. (NOCAFI), chaired by Board Member Mariant Escaño Villegas, is tasked to handle and manage this year’s Buglasan Festival, in coordination with the Negros Oriental Tourism Council, co-chaired by Nick Elman with the governor as chairman.
This year’s Buglasan Festival banners the theme “Sustaining growth through unity among the Oriental Negrenses” and will be staged at three different venues, namely the Freedom Park, the Sidlakang Negros Village and the “Kasikas” sa Rizal Boulevard, all in Dumaguete City, said Elman.
At least five local government units have already signified their intention of joining the Buglasan Festival of Festivals, namely, Jimalalud, San Jose, Sta. Catalina, Bais City and even Bayawan City, who is still reeling from the weekend devastation caused by massive flooding.
According to Villages, each contingent to the Buglasan streetdancing and showdown competition will receive a subsidy of P50,000 each while those taking part in the booth fair will receive a P1000,000 subsidy.
An ecumenical service will formally open the Buglasan Festival on Friday at the Capitol grounds.
Governor Roel Degamo, during a press conference Wednesday, expressed optimism that the number of tourists, both domestic and foreign, will increase during the week-long festival activities.
He also announced that Capitol is waiting for Malacañang to declare Oct. 18 a special non-working holiday for Negros Oriental so constituents can watch and experience the Buglasan Festival of Festivals, showcasing the different festivals of each town or city in the province.
With the expected rise in the city’s population with the Buglasan activities, security measures are already in place to be provided for by the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Army, and the city’s traffic management office, among others.
Several activities are lined up for the yearly celebration, to include socio-cultural presentations and contests, a cookfest dubbed “Lutong Garbo”, the awarding of Ten Outstanding Oriental Negrenses, a photo contest, fireworks competition and sporting events.
Aslo, the Miss Negros Oriental Tourism 2013 will be among the highlights of this year’s Buglasan Festival.
Kagawasan Avenue fronting the Capitol at the Freedom Park will be sealed off during the entire festival celebration although some streets will be closed during the grand civic parade and the Buglasan streetdancing competition.