600K revelers join BIDA Fun Run, Kalutan and Pista’y Dayat
2023 BANGUS FESTIVAL
MORE than 600,000 revelers trooped to Dagupan City last Sunday, April 30, to participate in the 2023 Bangus Festival, from the early morning Buhay Ingatan, Droga Ayawan” (BIDA) Fun Run along Jose de Venecia Expressway Extension to the “Kalutan ed Dalan” late afternoon.
P/Lt. Colonel Vicente Castor Jr., chief of police of Dagupan, said the following day, May 1, many were at the Tondaligan Beach for the celebration of the Pista’y Dayat where sports events and music concert were held with top musicians performing.
The BIDA Fun Run, the banner event of the Marcos administration’s crusade against illegal drugs, was led by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos.
There were 13,000 runners from the ranks of students, members of civic organizations, the police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and DILG that participated, exceeding the 12,000 target participants.
Castor said to ensure orderly and trouble-free BIDA Fun Run and “Kalutan”, three entry control points were established: One at the southern end of JdV Expressway Extension in Lucao, the second, inside CSI perimeter and third, near the vicinity of NBI in Sitio Babaliwan, Barangay Poblacion Oeste.
“I thank Mayor Fernandez for holding the Kalutan along De Venecia Extension where the crowd was easier to control,” said Castor, adding that it would have been a security nightmare if it was held in any other place in Dagupan.
Castor said security was strict because of the presence of some national officials and up to 17 foreign diplomats spearheaded by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Rev. Charles Brown, in a trip organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Rev. Brown and the other diplomats, including Archbishop Socrates Villegas, were given a red-carpet welcome at CSI Stadia before noon on April 30 where Mayor Fernandez and Vice Mayor Bryan Kua treated them to lunch.
The diplomats visited the Kadiwa ng Pangulo at CSI City Mall Atrium where they were seen buying souvenirs and bottled food products, before going on a tour of the city that included a visit to the Saint John the Evangelist Cathedral, the MacArthur House, Tondaligan Park and the residence of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., and his wife Gina in Bonuan Binloc.
Sec. Abalos stayed on to lead the the ceremonial lighting of 1,000 grills that formally kicked off the Kalutan ed Dalan. He was joined by Sen. Francis Tolentino, Assistant Health Secretary Eric Tayag, Rep. Christopher de Venecia, former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., his wife former Rep. Gina, 3rd District Rep. Rachel Arenas, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Abono Rep. Robert Estrella Jr., Mayor Fernandez and celebrity blogger Small Laude.
Fernandez said notwithstanding the slight drizzle in the early evening, people remained to watch the performance of top music bands till the wee hours of the following day. (Leonardo Micua)
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