By Leilanie Adriano/PNA

LAOAG CITY — President Rodrigo R. Duterte has declared Feb. 11, 2019 as a special non-working day in Laoag as the city marks its Pamulinawen Festival.
Duterte issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 662 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Feb. 6 to give the people of Laoag the “full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.”
City Mayor Chevylle Fariñas said she is thankful the President granted her request.
“February 10, which falls on a Sunday, is the annual fiesta celebration of Laoag in honor of our patron Saint William the Hermit, but we asked him to declare February 11 instead as a special non-working day for the people of Laoag to enjoy the festivity,” she said.
This year’s month-long celebration of the Pamulinawen Festival will showcase anew the lively street-dancing and the pageantry, ‘Dulang’ Festival, which promotes food ingenuity, the colorful Calesa parade, and the Search for Miss Pamulinawen 2019.
The grand parade is expected to draw a big crowd.