DUMAGUETE CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to grace the opening of the Buglasan Festival of Negros Oriental which will run from October 13 to 22 in three major venues here.
Governor Roel Degamo confirmed on Thursday afternoon that President Duterte had confirmed his arrival as guest of honor during the opening program of the Buglasan activities in celebration of the “festival of festivals” in Negros Oriental.
With the President’s arrival, security preparations are doubled with visitors and tourists expected to swarm the province.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Director, Sr. Supt. Edwin Portento, said requests for additional police personnel had been granted by the regional police command.
Also coming during the festival showdown is Senator Cynthia Villar while invitations were also sent to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, president of the PDP; and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, PDP Secretary General.
The province is also expecting Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Teo, Degamo said.
The Buglasan Festival is held every October to showcase the province’s different socio-cultural and other aspects, as well as draw tourists to this Central Visayas province.
City police chief, Supt. Jovito Atanacio, said Thursday afternoon that a series of meetings was being held by the Joint Task Force on Security, with the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other law enforcement agencies to draw up a security contingency plan for the festival.
The police chief said they would maximize the deployment of their police personnel at the three major venues, namely, the Freedom Park, the Sidlakang Negros Village and the Robinsons Place mall.
At every venue, the police will establish a Public Assistance Desk (PAD) to be manned by police personnel.
On Saturday, a meeting is scheduled with the different force multipliers such as the barangay tanods (village watchmen), Barangay Intelligence Networks, and other groups that provide assistance to the police, Atanacio said. (Mary Judaline Partlow with reports from Juancho Gallarde/PNA)
