Alex Cauguiran, cochair of this year’s city fiesta, assured guests of adequate security measures that would also deploy bomb-sniffing dogs from the Philippine Air Force at entry points along the MacArthur Highway venue that would be closed to traffic for two nights of street merriment.
“We are asking for the understanding of all, because guests will have to be frisked at entrances. Cops from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will also be there to make sure there are no illegal drugs,” he said.
Cauguiran said at least five ambulances would be on standby in the area.
“There will be full police visibility throughout the events. We will also reserve the right to refuse entry, especially to those who are obviously drunk or drugged,” he warned.
Tigtigan, Terakan king Dalan, which literally means “music, dancing in the street” in Kapampangan, was initiated by Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan soon after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. It was conceived to “bring back life” to this city which was then heavily devastated by the eruption.
Cauguiran said his committee expects no less than 60,000 tourists and local folk in the twonight merriment.
Pres. Duterte earlier declared Oct 10 and 21 here as non-working holidays to enable local folk to mark their fiesta honoring the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary. Various fiesta events started last Oct. 1 and go on up to the end of the month.
Cauiguiran said his committee expects to raise some P600,000 from ticket sales and advertisements in the twoday affair. Part of the funds raised would go to the Bahay Bata, a foundation for orphans and abandoned children.
