DUMAGUETE CITY , Philippines – The provincial government of Negros Oriental is all set for this year’s Buglasan Festival, the province’s premiere socio-cultural showcase that starts today (Oct. 11) through October 20. An ecumenical service will formally open the festival at the Capitol grounds.
The Capitol has allocated a total of 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 competitions.
The Negros Oriental Culture and Arts Foundation, Inc. (NOCAFI), chaired by Provincial Board Member Mariant Escaño Villegas, is tasked to handle and manage this year’s Buglasan, in coordination with the Negros Oriental Tourism Council, headed by Nick Elman.
Buglasan Festival 2013 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 this city, said Elman.
At least five local government units have already signified their intention of joining the Buglasan Festival of Festivals: Jimalalud, San Jose and Sta. Catalina towns and Bais City and even Bayawan City, which is still reeling from the weekend devastation caused by massive flooding.
According to Villegas, 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.
Governor Roel Degamo, for his part, said he was optimistic 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, which will showcase the different festivals of each participating town or city in the province.
With the expected rise of people during the festival period, security measures have been put in place by the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Army, and the city’s traffic management office, among others.
Other Buglasan activities are socio-cultural presentations and contests, “Lutong Garbo†cookfest, awarding of Ten Outstanding Oriental Negrenses, photo contest, fireworks competition, sporting events and the Miss Negros Oriental Tourism 2013 beauty pageant.
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. (FREEMAN)