Austerity to mark Bulacan’s annual Singkaban Fiesta

MALOLOS CITY—This year’s Singkaban Fiesta in Bulacan will be marked by austerity as the province still reels from calamity brought by floods spawned by the southwest monsoon and typhoons Helen and Igme.

The celebrations will start on Saturday and will end on September 15, which will be highlighted by the annual observance of the opening of the Malolos Congress.

The opening on Saturday will be cover the awarding of recognition to outstanding barangays and village workers in the province.

Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado said they slashed the budget for the annual Singkaban Fiesta to P2 million from last year’s P10 million.

He said the reduction of the festival’s budget is partly dictated by the fact that the province is still trying to get on its feet after the provincial government placed it under a state of calamity last month.

“The state of calamity remains and we are still assisting our fellow Bulakenyos to get back on their feet,” Alvarado said.

He explained that the province cannot afford a grand celebration this year as it will look like an insult to Bulakenyos hit by calamities.

As the biggest festival in the province, Singkaban Fiesta from September 8 to 15 used to be celebrated with pomp and grandeur showcasing the colorful culture and history of the province.

It is usually marked with street parades coupled with street dancing and other cultural presentations.

But this year, the provincial government decided to reduce the cultural presentations and give more importance to trade fairs.

Meanwhile, the opening of the annual festival will be highlighted by the Gawad Galing Barangay(GGB) awarding ceremony.

The Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) the secretariat of the GGB said five outstanding barangays will be feted along with barangay chairs, and councilmen.

Also to be awarded are outstanding barangay health workers, tanods, mother leaders, Lingkod Lingap sa Nayon, and Barangay Training and Employment Coordinators.

“This is one way of showing our sincere gratitude to the people who in times of needs will always be willing to assist our fellow Bulakenyos.

Sila ‘yung mga taong umulan, umaraw, kahit disoras ng gabi, na kakatok ng kapitbahay para magbigay ng tulong. Sila ‘yung mga taong madalas hindi nabibigyan ng tamang pagkilala kaya ngayon gusto nating ibigay sa kanila kung ano ‘yung nararapat para sa kanila at maipadama na para sa atin, mahalaga sila,” said Alvarado.

He added that recognizing outstanding barangays in the province will contribute to better public service as they will serve as inspiration and models to other barangay officials.