Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has reminded festivalgoers in Negros Occidental to be respectful when attending religious-based cultural festivities held in the province.
Lacson issued the call recently after some revelers flashed obscene messages and performed lewd acts in the just-concluded Dinagsa Festival of Cadiz City, photos of which were posted on social media.
“Let this be a warning to other visitors to respect the community where you are celebrating fiestas,” said the governor, who was the guest of honor during the northern Negros city’s festival highlights on January 25.
He added that visitors must show respect to the festival’s patron saint since the reason why fiestas are held is to thank God for the blessings.
Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said in a statement that Cadiz City observes tolerance and diversity, but this should not go beyond the bounds of good taste, decency and accepted norms of public conduct.
“We would like to remind the public that display of obscene messages on placards, lewd acts, and the likes are certainly unacceptable and have corresponding punitive measures,” he added.
On Monday, the three individuals involved in the scandalous acts met with Escalante at the mayor’s office, in the presence of Lt. Col. Robert Mansueto, city police chief.
They submitted their letter of public apology to the mayor and paid a fine for violation of a city ordinance.
“I call on the City Council to revisit our ordinance covering such indecent acts and further study what can be done to safeguard the interest of Dinagsa Festival as both a cultural and religious event,” Escalante added.
A festival in the south, the Sinulog de Kabankalan, also landed the headlines when some 20 persons, including several minors, were injured when a hanging bridge snapped during the highlights on January 19.
They were part of the group watching the fluvial parade from the bridge in Barangay Camugao, Kabankalan City. A few days later, one of the victims, a five-month-old girl died. (Nanette Guadalquiver pna via ndb)