By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag City—The “Northern Gateway of the Philippines” successfully opened the festivities for the 20th Pamulinawen Festival on February 1.
The fiesta celebration has become a sort of thanksgiving for both Laoag officials and residents for the many blessings bestowed on the city: from its beautiful landscapes, responsible residents, a rich culture; to the various awards won by the city; and to becoming the fastest growing center in Northern Philippines.
With the apt theme, “Blessed”, the city was awarded the 2014 Search for LGU Convergence award by the Dept. of Social Work and Development (DSWD); Top Regional Performer of Region I by the city’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO); Champion of the Regional Search for the Cleanest, Safest and Greenest City awarded by the Regional Development Council (RDC); Recipient of the Golden Globe Annual Awards for Filipino Achiever in the person of Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas; Regional Kalasag Awardee conferred by the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of the Civil Defense; and 2015 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) conferred by the DILG in recognition of its efforts in advancing the principles of accountability and transparency in local governance.
In her more than two years as Laoag mayor, Ms. Chevylle V. Fariñas thanked all the people for their support to her administration. This support, she stressed, paved the way for the many regional and national award won by the city in the last two years.
“As one city, we continue to reverberate our solidarity as with pride we ‘Shout Laoag’ and as with truth we pledge ‘Walang Iwanan’. Blessings pa more, Laoagueño! Blessed pa more, Laoag!” the mayor said.
Laoag Vice Mayor Michael V. Fariñas also thanked God for all the blessings and the people as well making Laoag a fast growing and multi-awarded city.
“Let us use the power of unity to harness our resources, our people, and bless our city and our lives with those dreams and ideals we hold to the point of sacredness—all for a better life”, the vice mayor said.
The month-long fiesta celebration opened on February 1 with the civic military parade and the Dios Ti Agngina Concert featuring Joshua Garcia, Kenzo Gutierez, and Rain Villar. The concert was concluded by a colorful fireworks display.
On February 2, the Agro Industrial Fair and Marikina Shoe Expo were both opened. The twin opening coincided with Ilocos Norte’s 198th foundation anniversary.
Laoag police chief P/Supt. Edwin Balles said that so far the celebration has been orderly and peaceful. He said police officers are deployed in areas where many people are converging.
Members of the city’s rescue team, headed by Dr. Medel Manuel, are also present every night, detailed at the City Hall and below the Gilbert Bridge in case of emergency. They are joined by Dept. Of Public Safety (DPS) paramedics team and a team from Laoag’s Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).