Higalaay gets P2M budget

City hall gives a leaner budget for Higalaay 2018 as it partners with the private sector

The City Government will only be spending at least P2 million for this year’s Higalaay Festival.

City Investments and Promotions Officer Eileen San Juan said this is due to the city’s partnerships with the private sector. “This is a lower cost of all the festivals that maybe other cities are spending, because we have good partnership with organizers, meaning it’s not the city that’s funding all the activities. The city will only be about spending 2-3 million for all the activities,” she said.

One of the highlights of the fiesta celebration, the Miss Cagayan de Oro is made possible through a partnership

with local clothing brand Mags, while cooking show Kumbira is partnering with Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (Cohara).

“Everything is going smoothly, and we are coordinating with police everyday to ensure the peace and order during our celebrations,” San Juan said.

San Juan said they are also expecting balikbayans particularly from the United States to participate this year’s Higalaay, particularly for the Duaw Kagayan, one of the core events of the fiesta.

“We’re even expecting balikbayans, but these are participants of Duaw Kagayan, they will be attending also our different events,” she said.

Events during the Higalaay Festival 2018 include include: Higalaay Agri Fair and Garden Show, Kumbira 2018, Kahimunan, Kagay-an Festival Marathon, Higalaay Choral Competition, Cowboy Festival, Miss Cagayan de Oro 2018 Coronation Night, 1st Motor Ace Kagay-an Dragon Boat Fiesta Race, Cagayan Carnival Parade, Higalaay Street Parade and Floats Civic Military Parade, Centrio Mall Bisperas Fireworks, 7th Mindanao Fashion Summit, Religious Procession, Fluvial Procession, SM Higalaay Pyro Festival, and Higalaay Festival Sale, among others.