BACOLOD City – A garden-like display made of reused plastic materials is the main Christmas attraction in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
The home of “Bailes de Luces” utilizes light-emitting diode (LED) lights to brighten up the municipal hall grounds amid the colored blossoms created by students of participating elementary and high schools.
Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Manguilimutan of La Castellana, who led the switch-on ceremony on Saturday, said the “floral fantasy” setup aims to draw tourists as they showcase the creativity and craftsmanship of the students and teachers.
The project also seeks to engage the community in collecting and reusing plastics to prevent the clogging of canals and to reduce pollution in the environment.
Manguilimutan said the municipal government is implementing measures toward environment protection and conservation like reducing plastic footprint.
“Since we have yet to establish our own sanitary landfill, we have to look for strategies to lessen our garbage. Plastic is non-biodegradable, we have to recycle it,” she added.
Ordinances have been proposed to strengthen the solid waste management initiative of the municipality, including a “plastic holiday” in the market and other establishments, she said.
“Through this environment-friendly Christmas attraction, we hope to inculcate positive values and spur awareness on environment protection among our residents, especially the youth,” Manguilimutan added.
The competing schools were clustered into six groups to create the Christmas display that will run until Jan. 5.
The champion will receive a cash prize of P100,000 while second and third placers will get P75,000 and P50,000, respectively. A consolation prize of P20,000 each will be given to the other participating groups.
Meanwhile, the event on Saturday also coincided with the kickoff of the 21st Bailes de Luces Festival.
Also known as the “Festival of Lights,” it is a celebration of thanksgiving highlighted by 10 groups competing in the street and arena dance competition this year, including six from the barangays and four representing the schools.
The champion will also get a P100,000 cash; second, P75,000; and third, P50,000.(With a report from PNA/PN)
