IT’S all systems go for the 15th Bacolaodiat Festival.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Friday, January 31, that they have a go signal from the Department of Health (DOH)-Western Visayas to continue the celebration of the 15th Bacolaodiat Festival after it was determined that Western Visayas is 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)-free.
Leonardia led the opening of the 15th Bacolaodiat Festival at the Bacolod Government Center Friday.
On Thursday, the city government sought an advice from DOH-Western Visayas regarding the 2019-nCoV outbreak and the possible danger it poses in Bacolod City since the city is celebrating its 15th Bacolaodiat Festival from January 31 to February 2.
In her letter dated January 31, 2020 and addressed to Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Edward Joseph Cuansing, Marlyn Convocar, director of DOH-Western Visayas, said that the DOH recommends the general public to practice frequent hand washing using soap and water or alcohol, observe proper cough etiquette, and maintain distance from people manifesting flu-like symptoms among others.
For people with flu-like symptoms, those with existing medical conditions, elderly and children under five-years-old, it is advised that they avoid going to crowded and public places. Likewise, the use of mask is recommended only to the vulnerable population as the elderly, children under five-years-old and people with existing conditions.
To date, Western Visayas is 2019-nCoV free. The public is advised to remain calm and vigilant at all times. Source out information only from World Health Organization and Department of Health websites and do not easily believe in the proliferation of fake news or infodemics, Convocar said.
The Chuncheon Nong Ak Preservation Association (Korean Percussionists) opened the festival with a beautiful performance at the Bacolod Government Center.
Leonardia also led the opening of the Imperial Village at the Bacolod Government Center followed by a motorcade with the city officials, private companies, and the Chinese schools towards Bacolod public plaza and Lacson Street.
Bacolaodiat was coined from the words “Baco” for Bacolod and “Lao Diat,” a Fookien word for celebration.
Leonardia said that they are happy that Bacolaodiat has gone this far.
“Fifteen years is 15 years. We’ve seen how this has grown, evolved, and this is a classic manifestation of what can be done in Bacolod if our citizens come together,” he said.
Leonardia lauded the Filipino-Chinese community in the city for having sustained the growth and development of the city.
Odette Ong-Gomez, chairperson of the 2020 Bacolaodiat Festival, said they saw how the Bacolaodiat Festival evolved from a very simple festival to a more complex.
She said this year, they have international guests and more activities especially for the millennial.
“While we are all concern about the nCoV, let’s celebrate Bacolaodiat Festival and let’s do what the DOH reminded us to practice frequent hand washing using soap and water or alcohol and observe proper cough etiquette,” she added.
This year of the metal rat, Ong-Gomez said she’s hopeful that the first zodiac animal of the 12 cycle of animals will be a beginning again for Bacolod to chart for a better future.
On February 1, there will be a conferment to Dr. Andrew L. Tan as adopted son and honorary mayor of Bacolod City, lantern dance competition, and fireworks, and on February 2, there will be a lantern dance repeat performance, lunar music fest, and Megaworld Night.