Saturday, October 11, 2008 Councilors split on fiesta regulation bid
SOME Davao City councilors are divided on the proposed policy to regulate expenditures during festivals.
"Dako ko ug uyon ana kay mas daghan pang priorities nga dapat gastosan. As a former barangay captain, nakita nako nga daghan pang atimanon gawas sa fiesta," said Councilor Edgar Ibuyan, adding that the regulation should be centered on the barangay.
Barangay 5-A, where Ibuyan used to serve as barangay captain, is known citywide for throwing the grandest fiesta celebration around.
Third district Councilor Teresita Mata-Marañon also said simple celebrations of barangay fiestas should be encouraged so that officials would not be pressured into looking for funds for the series of activities planned for the fiesta.
"During the fiesta, among the important things to remember is the honoring of the patron saint and not the emphasis on materialism," Marañon said.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, on the other hand, disagrees with his colleague's views.
"We have no right to encroach on the activities of private persons. It goes against the right to organize and enjoy. As long as it is not government money, the government should not tinker with these matters," Dayanghirang said.
House Bill 5161, which seeks to regulate expenditures during festivals, is not feasible for big city festivals such as the Kadayawan, according to Davao City Vice Mayor Sara Duterte.
Duterte earlier 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.
Authored by Representative Antonio Diaz (2nd District, Zambales), chair of the House committee on veterans affairs and welfare, the proposal seeks 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. (GLP/With BOT)
