ANGELES CITY – Stop holding the “Tigtigan, Terakan King Dalan.”
Saying the city’s once defining festival as having been “reduced to more inconvenience than fun, and a possible source of graft and corruption,” the Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM) has called for an end to the “Tigtigan, Terakan King Dalan (TTKD).”
Started in the immediate aftermath of the Mount Pinatubo eruptions by then Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, to raise the morale of the devastated city, the TTKD is an annual event held on the last weekend of October as part of the twin fiesta celebrations of the city.
The Balibago stretch of MacArthur Highway is closed to vehicles and turned into one big party place with bands, food, drinks and merriment for three days.
Handled by the Kuliat Foundation, the TTDK earnings from corporate sponsorships, gate receipts and contributions of participating companies was in the advancement of socio-cultural activities including the operations and upkeep of the Museo ning Angeles.
Under the administration of Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno, the TTDK came under the supervision of the Angeles City Tourism Office (ACTO).
“It is under ACTO that the Tigtigan, Terakan lost its luster and its staging came under clouds of suspicion,” PGKM Chair Ruperto L. Cruz said.
Cruz decried the alleged failure of ACTO to make a public accounting of the TTDK proceeds.
“ACTO used taxpayers’ money in staging the event. It also received sponsorships and donations as well as charged entrance fees. Now, that requires public accounting,” Cruz said even as he scored ACTO chief Pie Angeles Flores for “setting herself above the law.”
“Flores is fond of saying no one is above the law, and yet her continuing failure to issue any financial report on the Tigtigan, Terakan last year is enough proof that she holds herself above the law,” Cruz said.
“For all the inconveniences both motorists and pedestrians have to undergo with MacArthur Highway closed for three days, what do we get in exchange? Not even a report of how much the city got from it,” Cruz lamented.
The PGKM urged the city government to stop holding the TTDK this October “especially with Flores at helm” as it “does not in any way redound to any benefit for the people.”
“Instead of sponsoring the Tigtigan, Terakan, companies like Smart, San Miguel Corp, and others could do well with their donation by giving them directly to those in need, like medical-dental services and livelihood projects to the depressed communities, or grants to the Museo ning Angeles and cultural groups where they will be properly used and accounted for,” Cruz added.
Punto tried to get the statements of Flores but to no avail. She failed to return calls and answer text messages as of presstime.
Saying the city’s once defining festival as having been “reduced to more inconvenience than fun, and a possible source of graft and corruption,” the Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM) has called for an end to the “Tigtigan, Terakan King Dalan (TTKD).”
Started in the immediate aftermath of the Mount Pinatubo eruptions by then Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, to raise the morale of the devastated city, the TTKD is an annual event held on the last weekend of October as part of the twin fiesta celebrations of the city.
The Balibago stretch of MacArthur Highway is closed to vehicles and turned into one big party place with bands, food, drinks and merriment for three days.
Handled by the Kuliat Foundation, the TTDK earnings from corporate sponsorships, gate receipts and contributions of participating companies was in the advancement of socio-cultural activities including the operations and upkeep of the Museo ning Angeles.
Under the administration of Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno, the TTDK came under the supervision of the Angeles City Tourism Office (ACTO).
“It is under ACTO that the Tigtigan, Terakan lost its luster and its staging came under clouds of suspicion,” PGKM Chair Ruperto L. Cruz said.
Cruz decried the alleged failure of ACTO to make a public accounting of the TTDK proceeds.
“ACTO used taxpayers’ money in staging the event. It also received sponsorships and donations as well as charged entrance fees. Now, that requires public accounting,” Cruz said even as he scored ACTO chief Pie Angeles Flores for “setting herself above the law.”
“Flores is fond of saying no one is above the law, and yet her continuing failure to issue any financial report on the Tigtigan, Terakan last year is enough proof that she holds herself above the law,” Cruz said.
“For all the inconveniences both motorists and pedestrians have to undergo with MacArthur Highway closed for three days, what do we get in exchange? Not even a report of how much the city got from it,” Cruz lamented.
The PGKM urged the city government to stop holding the TTDK this October “especially with Flores at helm” as it “does not in any way redound to any benefit for the people.”
“Instead of sponsoring the Tigtigan, Terakan, companies like Smart, San Miguel Corp, and others could do well with their donation by giving them directly to those in need, like medical-dental services and livelihood projects to the depressed communities, or grants to the Museo ning Angeles and cultural groups where they will be properly used and accounted for,” Cruz added.
Punto tried to get the statements of Flores but to no avail. She failed to return calls and answer text messages as of presstime.
