DAVAO CITY—Originally held on April 22-24, the annual Caracoles festival has been postponed to May 21-23.
In a statement, the Davao del Norte Provincial Tourism Council, organizers of the event, said they recognized the very turbulent election season would make the festivities vulnerable to politicking.
“The Council adheres that for the tourism industry to advance and be sustained, it must not be held hostage by partisan political considerations,” the statement added.
Jonallier Perez, marketing director of the festival, said that Mayor Aniano Antalan of the host Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) suggested that the festival be staged after the elections. Antalan earlier refused to sign the permit for the festival when he noticed that those behind the event are running for public office.
Perez also said that logistics for the event would be affected if it was held this month. Commercial sound system, food, promo materials, and even transportation is currently at a premium as it there is a high demand for these from campaigning candidates.
Perez added that holding the event in May would also be a boon because it would coincide with two other important activities: the World Oceans Month and the silver anniversary of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA). The PRA event is slated to bring in hundreds of foreign retirees, which means more festival participants.
The Caracoles Festival was designed to cap the month-long Dive Davao Festival in April. It was intended to instill higher public consciousness and to promote responsible eco-tourism and the protection of the fragile marine biodiversity of the Davao Gulf. (PIA XI)
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