PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is expected to grace this year’s Buglasan Festival, the premiere socio-cultural showcase of Negros Oriental slated October 14 to 23.
Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo said Monday afternoon that he personally invited Duterte when they met briefly in Bacolod City over the weekend during the opening of the Masskara Festival.
Although the President cannot make it to the opening of the Buglasan Festival on October 14 because of a prior commitment, Degamo said he is hopeful that Duterte can come in the succeeding days.
Bong Go, the President’s executive secretary, told Degamo that Duterte may be coming hopefully on October 21 for the Buglasan Festival of Festivals.
Malacañang has declared via Proclamation 63 October 21, 2016 as a non-working holiday in Negros Oriental.
Other Cabinet members like Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno, and Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo and other dignitaries have also been invited to the Buglasan Festival, according to Degamo.
The governor, meanwhile, also appealed to the local government units (LGUs) to participate in the Buglasan activities.
He mentioned Bayawan City, La Libertad and Bacong as among those that are reportedly not taking part in the booth-making contest and the Buglasan Festival of Festivals street-dancing and showdown competition.
He reiterated his appeal to the LGUs to reconsider, saying there is still time for them to prepare for the festivities.
“This is the festival of the people of Negros Oriental, including Bayawan City, so I am urging the mayor of Bayawan to participate,” Degamo said.
Counterpart funding is at P100,000 for each LGU for the booths, while another P100,000 is also allocated for each of the participating contingents in the Buglasan Festival, he added.
Degamo said everything is in place for the Buglasan Festival. (PNA[)