ILOILO City – The 2020 edition of Guimaras’ Manggahan Festival has been scrapped due to the threat of coronavirus disease 2019, Provincial Tourism officer Liberty Ferrer said.
Manggahan Festival, slated May 11 to 22, pays tribute to the island’s main export – sweet mangoes.
The month-long celebration lures 60,000 to 90,000 tourists during the event proper.
“Ang Manggahan isa ka big event nga naga-encourage sa pagtabok sang tourists sa isla sang Guimaras, wherein economically alive ang amon ang activity because sang Manggahan,” she said, adding the cancellation of the festival will leave a big impact on the province.
On Friday, Gov. Samuel Gumarin issued Executive Order 32 that temporarily suspends the entry or tours of guests from Metro Manila and other areas that may be affected by COVID-19.
Gumarin also ordered that Guimaras residents who came from Metro Manila and other areas that have local Covid-19 transmissions may be allowed to enter provided that they shall undergo mandatory self-quarantine for 20 days under the supervision of the rural health unit concerned./PN
