ILOILO – The local government unit of Alimodian will proceed with the holding of its annual Himud-os Festival amid concerns about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Mayor Geefre “Kalay” Alonsabe said they are considering holding the festival between on March 14 to 21.
According to Alonsabe, they decided to push
through this year’s festivities following the advisories of national government
agencies stating it is safe to organize and attend public gatherings, meetings
and festivals as long as all precautionary measures identified by health
authorities.
“We sat down with our concerned local agencies and barangay officials, nagdesisyon kami nga dayunon gid ang Himud-os
Festival sang banwa sang Alimodian,” said
Alonsabe.
With the town’s decision to push through with the celebrations, Alonsabe assured that there will be measures in place in order to ensure that the participants of the Himud-os Festival, as well as the spectators, will not be at risk for the COVID-19.
“With the Municipal Health Office and Rural Health Unit, we will put up stations for people to disinfect (during the festivity),” Alonsabe said.
He added it would be unfortunate for those dancers if they would no longer be able to show what they prepared for if the municipality would postpone it to a later part of the year.
According to Alonsabe, most of the festival participants are mostly secondary students and there are no foreign performers.
He said six tribes will perform this year and the public should also look forward to other activities like street dance competition; drum and lyre exhibition; sashing of Bulak Kang Alimodian ’20; bicycle fun trail ride and cultural show; Farmer’s Day; LGBT Night; Gawad Agustin Magtanong Awards; and Hubon competition./PN
