Job well done

DAGUPAN was abuzz over the last two and a half weeks as the city celebrated the annual Bangus Festival.

It was by all means a success — notwithstanding the monstrous vehicular traffic arising from the temporary partial closure of Arellano Street for rehabilitation work aimed at addressing the perennial flooding problem in the area and the unexpected rains which started pouring on the first weekend after the festival’s opening. The major events pushed through with minor delays as the inclement weather calmed the scheduled dates of the celebration’s highlights and the crowd flocked in, enjoying the sights, sounds and flavors that were on offer.

A downpour of credit deservedly goes to the city officials, foremost to Mayor Al Fernandez and Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez who was chairman of the festival’s main organizing committee. The noted increased participation of numerous commercial sponsors is obviously an offshoot of her influence as one of the biggest entrepreneurs in the region. Her management and organizational skills was evident in how the chairmanships for the different events were farmed out to the councilors, supported by the city’s departmental heads and employees. Mayor Al Fernandez surely made a wise decision appointing his political partner, the vice mayor, to take the lead in organizing the Bangus Festival. Today, it as considered as one of the biggest fiestas in the country, right in the league of Cebu’s Sinulog, Iloilo’s Dinagyang, Davao’s Kadayawan and Baguio’s Panagbenga, among others.

Without a doubt, the city’s economy was stimulated by the event, an aim that Vice Mayor Fernandez set out to achieve in the light of the global economic crisis that has not spared the local market. Business establishments such as eateries, hotels, dry goods stores; street vendors, flea market entrepreneurs, and the transport industry including bus, jeepney and tricycle operators and drivers benefited from the influx of tourists as well as the locals who joined the celebration and spent!

Dagupan’s officials could have chosen to take the more conservative option of holding a smaller and quieter Bangus Festival this year compared to the previous years, using as a valid ground the need for moderation in terms of financial spending given the difficult economic conditions. But they decided to take on the bolder route motivating the private sector to be an active participant. And the city is thankful they did.

Now, with the year’s major revelry successfully undertaken, our city officials must use the momentum from the 2009 Bangus Festival to continue planning and implementing programs that will keep the economy revolving to keep business running and the employment rate steady.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments