City fiesta opens with ‘hand of friendship’
ASIDE from the traditional lighting of the city’s Festival Tree of Peace, this year’s opening of the Dagupan annual fiesta on December 15 was highlighted by a political gesture of peace by Mayor Benjamin Lim towards members of the opposition in the city council.
After delivering his speech, Lim extended his “hand of friendship” to city officials, particularly Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, head of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and the 11 other councilors present.
“Let’s give them [Dagupeños] the service they truly need,” Lim said.
After the event, the councilors, however, remarked that It was the same gesture the made when he assumed office last year but this was followed by a “gag” order preventing city hall officials from attending sessions of the city council.
Liga ng mga Barangay President Guillermo Vallejos, this year’s city fiesta hermano mayor, and Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan (PSK) President Chester Gonzales, the fiesta vice hermano mayor, were also present during the opening ceremony after absenting themselfves for weeks in council sessions where they are both members.
This year’s fiesta has been marred by controversies, particularly with the operation of street bazaars without the city council’s imprimatur and the refusal of the fiesta committee to identify depositories for revenues earned.
The opening program also featured musical performances from the Nandaragupan Children’s Choir and the Koro Colegio de Dagupan. (With report from CIO)
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