DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, September 21 (PIA) -- This year’s Buglasan Festival is expected to gather the biggest festival contingents in Negros Oriental.

A total of 24 local government units (LGUs) are participating in the festival.

During the festival’s press launch on September 21, Provincial Tourism Board Executive Director Woodrow “RR” Maquiling Jr. said this year’s festival of festivals in the province will be more meaningful and grandiose as it unifies all LGUs to show to local and foreign audiences the rich diversity of the local culture and arts in a single venue at the Capitol area in Dumaguete City.

Maquiling said that when Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagabarria took his oath as governor on May 31, the governor has called for unity for the whole province.

Sagarbarria took over as governor after former Gov. Guido Reyes passed away nearly three months after governor Roel Degamo was gunned down in Pamplona on March 4.  

“The governor saw it fit to give his call to action for unity through the Buglasan Festival as culture and arts is one of the development tools,” Maquiling said.

The festival banners this year’s theme, “Negros Oriental: Garbo sa Kabisay-an,” with over 30 events that spreads all over the province.

The Buglasan Executive Committee led by the governor has allocated P18 million to subsidize participating LGUs in the festival and booth competitions for the celebration.

Of the total allocation, the financial subsidies reached up to P12 million for LGUs participating in the four major events, the festivals of festivals, booth competition, Miss Negros Oriental, and grand Float Parade.

Each municipality or city will receive P700,000 subsidy.

“We have to invest culture and arts, and provide full support to LGUs for them to be encouraged to participate in the celebration of this year’s Buglasan,” said Maquiling.

The Office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, through Provincial Board Member Woodrow Maquiling Sr. as committee chair of tourism and culture and arts, has sent a request to Malacañang to declare October 20 (Friday) as a special non-working day in the province.

This is to give time for the people of the province to witness and experience the Buglasan Festival. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)