DUMAGUETE CITY – The annual Buglasan Festival of Negros Oriental will officially reel off on Saturday afternoon with the opening ceremony at the Capitol forecourt stage here.
Governor Roel Degamo will lead the opening ceremony together with expected guests Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go, Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones (who hails from the province) and Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat.
The Parada Negorense is set at 1 p.m. around the city streets prior to the opening program, to feature school bands in the Marching Band Competition.
The Sidlak Negorense Awards ceremonies for outstanding Oriental Negrenses will follow the opening ceremonies.
The Buglasan Festival runs from Oct. 13 to 24 every year and is the showcase of the province’s socio-cultural heritage and tourism destinations.
The main highlight of the celebration is the Festival of Festivals, where participating contingents from the different towns and cities present their respective cultural festivals in a grand showdown and streetdancing. It will be held on Friday, Oct. 24.
Like in previous years, Malacañang is expected to declare this day a special non-working holiday for Negros Oriental.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Police Office has deployed security personnel for the duration of the Buglasan Festival, along with Army troops.
Senior Supt. Raul Tacaca, provincial police director, said task groups and units have been created following a series of meetings to ensure the safety and security of the people coming for the festivities.
Tacaca is the overall chairman on the Peace and Security Committee while Col. Alberto Desoyo, commander of the 303rd Brigade of the Philippine Army, sits as co-chair. (Mary Judaline Partlow/PNA)
