BONTOC – The preparation of the 11th Lang-ay Festival next year is now on the hands of the private and business sector after accepting the challenge of Governor Leonard Mayaen for the privatization of the staging of the province’ festival.
During the recent meeting of the private sector in the province this month of May, the private and business sector signify their interest and commitment to manage Lang-ay Festival but with the subsidy from the provincial government.
In lieu of Governor Leonard Mayaen, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Roger Sacyaten who presided over the meeting explained that the governor earlier committed that provincial government will download the seed funds for the festival to the group or the association to be organized. Sacyaten added with the positive response from the private and business sector, the group to be organized shall manage the funds and the activities of the Lang-ay Festival next year.
Paulino Tumapang representing the organization of Hotel Association of Mountain Province (HAMP) said that their organization accept and signify their interest to the proposal of the governor and accept their role in the management of Lang-ay Festival. Tumapang also supported the suggestion of Sacyaten stressing that a body be created to oversee the Lang-ay activities next year.
Paula Acofo, President of Bontoc Market Vendors Association (BOMARVA) expressed the willingness of their association to partake in the staging of Lang-ay by the private sector. She added that they are willing to do whatever role is tasked to their group.
Towards this end, Lang-ay Festival Ad-hoc Committee was created to be chaired by the governor and co- chaired by Paulino Tumapang and Lyn Madalang who are both from the private sector. The members of the committee includes the Tour Operators, Igorot Global Organization (IGO), Bontoc Business Circle, Inc. (BBCI) represented by Joel Fagsao, Baker’s Association represented by Anthony Boaging, Souvenir Producers of Mountain Province represented by Gabriela Oloan, BOMARVA represented by Paula Acofo, Hoteliers Association of Mountain Province represented by Helen Geronilla, transport sector and other interested business sectors. Other members of the committee to provide assistance are Office of the Governor, Provincial Tourism Office and Cultural Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, National Commission on Indigenous People, Office of the Congressman and Municipal Tourism Action Officers.
With this, the committee aims to be an effective partner in the successful staging of Lang-ay. They also hope that more events will be organized and sponsored by the private sector in the one-month celebration of Lang-ay as they prepare for the permanent transition of managing the festival.
If, however, the staging of Lang-ay did not turn-our well as expected then the provincial government will take back the management of Lang-ay.
Meanwhile, there is no definite month yet in plan but the committee proposes for the Lang-ay festival to be held during dry season. They all agreed that Lang-ay should not in conflict with the Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City or town festivals in the province such as the Begnas festival of Bauko during March, Gagayam Festival of Sabangan every third week of March, Etag Festival on June in Sagada town and the Am-among Festival of Bontoc during September.
