Local governments have been forced to stop the staging of festivals and other events starting February, when the number of COVID-19 cases started to climb in the country.
But as with any government transaction, Frago was ready to shell out her own money, confident that she could collect her fees after the event. “We already finished about a third [of the booth] and already spent about P100,000,” she said.
Even before the Luzon-wide lockdown in March, the specter of COVID-19 had already become the worst nightmare for central and northern Luzon communities that thrive on summer festivals and other tourism-related activities. Dagupan City Mayor Brian Lim also scrapped the Bangus Festival. “Many industries benefit from the festival like ‘bangus’ producers who grow the fish specifically for the festival, and now have to find new markets for them,” he said.
In Nueva Ecija province, the lockdown forced residents to abandon their religious and agriculture-based festivals. The government and local businesses in San Jose City lost a combined P7.8 million when the Pagibang Damara Festival, usually held in April, was canceled. “I pity most of my townmates. Difficult days are coming after the pandemic,” said Milada Dealo-Valde, former president of Quezon’s tourism council and a bakeshop owner. She asked the government to provide local businesses tax relief to offset their losses.
Visayan festivals like the Paraw Regatta boat sailing festival in Iloilo ; Battle of Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu ; Panaad sa Negros Festival in Negros Occidental ; Indang Festival in Hindang town, Leyte ; and Saulog Festival in Tagbilaran City, Bohol were scratched. “If these festivals pushed through, it would be dangerous for the people especially that we have an unseen enemy here,” he said.
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