Security threats lead the cancellation of Street Dancing Competition during Pasalamat Festival in Pagadian City

Posted by JONG D. CADION –MINDANAO PAGADIAN FRONTLINE

Pagadian City Mayor Tata Pulmones in a press

conference at his residence (Phtoto by JC MPF News)

 

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Jan. 9, 2015-MPF News) -- The Local Government of Pagadian City has cancelled the Street Dancing Competition during the Pasalamat Festival 2015 on January 18 during the Parochial Celebration of Sto. Niño Fiesta following the security threats, City Government Officials said.

City Mayor Romeo “Tata” Pulmones announced Thursday night during the press conference held at his residence that the cancellation of the Pasalamat Festivial 2015 Street Dancing Competition and other local government activities during fiesta celebration was due to security threats like bombing during the celebration.

Pagadian City Mayor Romeo “Tata” Pulmones

Pulmones said the only LGU activities during the Fiesta that was not cancelled is the Regatta to be held at the City Wharf Area on January 17 and 18 spearheaded by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Police and the Philippine Port Authority (PPA). 

“This is to give way to the Catholic Church Activities since the celebration is a Patronal Fiesta Celebration of Sto. Niño so that the security forces will be focused on the week-long church activities that will kick-off this afternoon January 9 at the City Wharf Area and to culminate on January 18,” Mayor Pulmones said.

But the City Mayor promised to the participating group that the Street Dancing Competition will be held instead during the opening of the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association Meet in February this year.

Pulmones explained that the security measures taken were also based on the neighboring areas in Mindanao where bombing has happened.

Pulmones also requested the public of their cooperation in the implementation of security measures in the city during the Pasalamat Festival 2015 celebration.

However, Pagadian City Chief of Police Supt. Glenn Dulawan had assured the public of their security during the City Fiesta after the security plan was laid down.

 

Supt. Glenn Dulawan

Dulawan said the City Police Force will be augmented by at least 2 policemen each town from 26 municipalities of Zamboanga del Sur together with the Provincial Police Public Safety Battalion (PPSB) plus the forces from the 53^rd Infantry Battalion of the Army’s First Infantry (Tabak) Division.

In a Media Forum Thursday morning called by the Fiesta Celebration Organizer Chaired by Fr. Rico Sayson, it was learned that for this year, the Catholic Church tagged the Fiesta Celebration as “Pangadyian Festival” that will have kick-off activities this Friday afternoon January 9 at 1:00 p,m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Wharf Area through the re-enactment of the arrival of Sto Niño in Pagadian City.

At 3:30 p.m. the start of community procession from Wharf area to the Sto Niño Cathedral then followed by the enthronement of the Image of Senior Sto. Niño to the Parish Church then followed by the Novena community Prayer.

The novena Community Prayer will continue every afternoon up to the 8^th day at the Sto Niño Cathedral and on the 9^th day will be Bisperas Feast Day Celebration at the Whart Area at 5:a.m. for the Concelebrated Holy Mass to be led by the main celebrant Bishop Emmanuel T. Cabajar.