Friday, October 10, 2008 Plan to regulate fiestas, impractical: del Rosario
HOUSE Bill 5161, which seeks to regulate the expenditures during festivals, is impractical.
This was the reaction made by Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario who said, "It is not easy to break a long time tradition from our ancestors".
Del Rosario said one senator is also planning to ban fiestas before and he lost in the next election.
"Former senator (Raul) Manglapus attempted to ban fiestas and the people got him out of the Senate. Simple lang ang kaligayahan ng Pilipino at pinapakialaman pa natin," del Rosario said.
Davao City Vice Mayor Sara Duterte said limiting the expenses of the city government to only P50,000 for a festival like Kadayawan is also not possible.
"Sa food pa lang ng security kulang na ang P50,000," the young Duterte said.
Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy, on the other hand, said he has no problem with the bill saying that the LGU never spends for town fiestas.
"Mga business companies man ang naga-sponsor sa mga events," Uy said.
When informed that soliciting from private companies will also be prohibited in the proposed bill, Uy said the LGU is not soliciting from private companies but rather it is the private companies that are offering to sponsor some of the events.
Mati Mayor Michelle Rabat, meanwhile, agreed with the proposal admitting that huge amount of money is being spent on festivities from the city down to the purok level.
"Even puroks are soliciting from us for the celebration of their araw ng purok. These celebrations are done weekly and makes it expensive for the LGUs," Rabat said.
Bill author, Representative Antonio Diaz (2nd District, Zambales), chair of the House committee on veteran affairs and welfare, said that during difficult times when people are financially strained, the culture of celebrating fiestas and similar festivities could be counter-productive.
"While these celebrations bring delight to our people, the fact remains that these affairs are grandiosely celebrated causing people to spend beyond their means.
People squander precious time and money to stage needless celebrations.
Moreover, donations are being asked from various sectors to finance stage shows, beauty contests and other unproductive activities," Diaz said.
House Bill 5161 seeking to provide a ceiling on the amount LGU officials can spend for such celebrations.
The bill provides a P100,000 spending limit for provinces; P50,000 for cities; P30,000 for first and second class municipalities; P25,000 for third and fourth class municipalities; P20,000 for fifth and sixth class municipalities; and, P10,000 for barangays.
The bill also seeks to limit the participation of LGUs and other government agencies in agro-industrial or trade fairs and exhibits to promote local goods, cultural presentations, sports competitions, and in festivities of significant historical and national importance.
Based on the proposal they shall be prohibited from soliciting donations in cash or in kind from private individuals or corporation and all other private entities, government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations for the benefit of fiesta celebrations.
Any person or organizer found guilty of violating the proposal once it becomes a law shall pay a fine of P10,000 to P15,000. An erring public official or employee, in addition to paying a fine, shall face suspension of 10 to 30 days based on the bill.
The Philippines is one country where fiestas, festivals and similar festivities are celebrated with much fanfare, according to Diaz. He cited the report of the Department of Tourism, which listed at least 59 major fiestas being observed around the country including major national holidays and religious festivals. (BOT)
