Confusion. This is one of the words that Tacloban City Councilor Yanyan Granados think that will describe what the existence of two festivals in Tacloban City during the festivities for the patron, Sr. Sto. Nino.
The public, however, would beg to differ as it is actually the indecisiveness of the local officials that led to this confusion.
Last June 15, the regular session of the Sangguniang Panglungsod ended in a unanimous vote for the Council Resolution 2023-15-118 or the “Resolution Favorably endorsing the Request...” which would allow the organizers to push through with the Pintados- Kasadyaan Plaza which will be located at the RTR Plaza.
This news was appreciated both by the organizers and the small business owners who would participate in this activity and immediately set into action knowing that there are only a few days left before the city fiesta.
Conversely, the preparations were cut short after a letter addressed to Vice Mayor Edwin Chua, the presiding chairman of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, was sent in request to reflect on record the “vehement objection” on the “unanimously approved ordinance.”
The letter was signed by the same people who initially opposed Councilor Jerry Uy’s proposed “exemption ordinance” regarding the permits in question, namely Yanyan Granados, Tata Granados, Leo Bahin, Christoper Esperas, Edison Malaki, and SK Federation President Thomas Diaz.
A matter of persepective
Among the “many reasons” that the public heavily disagrees with the councilors’ stand is Granados’ belief that it is redundant to have two festivals that would create confusion to the public and the fact that the festivals have the same concept — one being the Sangyaw Park and the Pintados’ Pintados-Kasadyaan Plaza.
The public however couldn’t disagree more and believes that it is a matter of perspective.
“it’s not confusion, they would just give the people more options. This is a season of festivities, let the people have fun diri kay sosolohon la hit Sangyaw. Magkakagaramo ngahaw hira,” Jay, a worker assigned in Tacloban told OpinYon 8.
The same sentiments was also shared by Pintados Foundation President Eugene Tan who believes that more activities would benefit everyone.
“Duro damo nga kiritaon, mas maupay para ha aton kay-number one, there will always be economic activity. Who will benefit hiton activities? The Informal sectors nga aton diri hin kikitan, an mga mag tirinda, makikita naton na these are the realities na makikitan naton didto ha site.,” Uy said in an interview.
He also added that more activities attract more tourists who spends resources the moment they set foot in the city to the moment they leave.
“Kun mayda kita tourism, definitely mabalik ito nga mabalik ito ha aton,” he added.
Wasted efforts
Organizers were forced to remove the sound system that was already being setup at the RTR Plaza and several “supposed-vendors” would have to find ways to sell the products they were preparing for the activities.
Due to the indecisiveness, its those who barely make ends meet who suffer the most with the efforts and financial resources wasted at the very last minute.