The provincial government of Negros Oriental launched Friday this year’s Buglasan Festival, the province’s premiere socio-cultural showcase which goes on until 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 & Arts Foundation, Inc., 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 Dr. 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: the Freedom Park at the Capitol Area, the Sidlakang Negros Village along EJ Blanco, and the Rizal Boulevard for the Kasikas, said Elman.
At least five local government units have signified their intention of joining the Buglasan Festival of Festivals: 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 P100,000 subsidy.
Gov. 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 that the constituents can participate in 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 in place to be provided 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 the Ten Outstanding Oriental Negrenses, a photo contest, fireworks competition, and sporting events. The Miss Negros Oriental Tourism 2013 will be among the highlights of this year’s Buglasan Festival.
Kagawasan Ave. around Freedom Park will be sealed off during the entire festival celebration. (PNA/Judy F. Partlow hbc/jfp)
