Marawi siege takes toll on Sarbay Fest

THE Marawi City siege that led to the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao by President Rodrigo R. Duterte has taken its toll on the island’s biggest beach festival.

The provincial government of Sarangani announced yesterday it decided to cancel this year’s staging of Sarangani Bay Festival, also known to the locals as Sarbay Fest, in sympathy to residents of Marawi and support to any action being undertaken by Duterte administration to address the problem.

“The more prudent and moral choice of action is to sympathize in prayer, instead of pursuing the day and night activities of SarbayFest 2017,” an advisory posted on the festival’s official Facebook account said.

This was confirmed by Serafin Ramos, Jr., the province’s information officer.

Although all is set for the festival highlights this weekend, May 26 to 28, the same advisory said the provincial government, organizers and partners decided to “rest the event this year in light of our brothers’ and sisters’ plight in Marawi.”

They called on the public “to unite with us in prayer for peace and order in Mindanao and the people of Marawi, in the spirit of national security and support to President Duterte’s declaration.”

Rural and Urban Development committee chair, Councilor Rene Elias Lopez.

Davao City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, pushed for the discussion of the item despite the absence of the chair, and through the aid of the committee vice chair Councilor Jesus Melchor Quitain Jr. but it was not pushed due to fact that Lopez did not properly endorse the item to Quitain.

Dayanghirang said city councilors must be prompt in their attendance every session as many items needed utmost attention.

Dayanghirang pointed out that the item is needed to fast track the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project which will benefit the residents of second district.

The item tackles about whether or not the city council should approve the additional allowable use of parcel of land with a total area of 85, 258 hectares, which is identified as an agricultural zone. KVC