Mt. Province launches 14th Lang-ay fest

MOUNTAIN province is set to launch the 14th Lang-ay Festival and 51st foundation day on January 8sans participation of the private sector.

This was learned as invitations circulated among the government offices, provincial and national, enticing the staff and personnel to actively participate in the Monday flag raising program and launching.

The provincial festival and foundation day will be featured in a weeklong activities from April 2-9, 2018, according to the circular dated January 3.

The partnership between the provincial government and the private sector was severed this time as intrigues crept into play in the otherwise cordial partnership. Accordingly there were conditions brought out by the government side not seating well with the private sector.

The private sector, led by Paulino

Tumapang, enacted a resolution for them not to participate in the staging of Lang-ay 2018.

The partnership was conceptualized during the time of the late Governor Leonard Mayaen which started in 2015. Since then, the partnership ensued for three years.

The provincial government was at the helm since its first staging in 2005 during the time of the late Maximo Dalog as provincial executive and acknowledged the “father of Lang-ay Festival.

Tumapang, the erstwhile chairperson of the Lang-ay Festival Organization said “’we just wanted to adhere to the verbal statement of the Provincial Administrator to get back Lang-ay and be managed by the provincial government. It is out of delicadeza”.

“We will respect their decision as government and we will support their programs for the said annual event. But we hope their idea of enhancing the event will maintain the principle cultural integrity because that was the main purpose of the partnership initiated by the late Gov. Mayaen,” added Tumapang.

The partnership was intended by the late Gov. Mayaen as a prelude to privatization of the Lang-ay Festival.

Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan has in many occasions said Lang-ay should be continued and supported.

The ever crowddrawer festival has been acclaimed as tourism come-on of the province as more and more local and foreign tourists come each year. Roger Sacyaten