BONTOC, Mountain Province – The provincial government of Mountain Province cancelled the staging of the 16th Lang-ay Festival due to the threat of coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19).
The Lang-ay Festival Committee and technical working group came up with the decision, following a resolution by the Mountain Province Provincial Health Board requesting for the cancelation of all the activities of the week-long festival slated first week of April, to safeguard the province’s constituents against the respiratory illness.
Assessment of the local government unit showed that resources, such as isolation rooms, manpower, and facilities will not be adequate in the event that Covid-19 cases occur in the province.
The Department of Health has been advising the public to avoid attending and organizing crowd-drawing events.
“Although Mountain Province remains free of Covid-19, there is an urgent need to intensify measures to prevent the spread of the disease in the province. For an institution that promotes the utmost well-being of its people, we have to listen to the advice of authorities,” Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. said.
The celebration of the province’s foundation day, however, will push through.
This year’s celebration will start with an ecumenical service to be followed by a program at the provincial plaza April 7. – Erwin S. Batnag
April 19, 2024
