SAN JOSE, Antique – The town of Libertad, Antique has created a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) by putting up faucets and placing anti-bacterial soaps in the washing areas of its town hall and around its plaza.
Libertad Mayor Mary Jean Te said that 12 faucets were installed for the preparation of the town’s Banigan Festival that was supposed to start on March 13.
With the availability of the hand washing facility, residents and guests would be encouraged to practice proper hand hygiene.
“We had faucets set up since last week in preparation for the influx of the spectators who would witness the Banigan Festival,” the mayor said.
“The faucets will remain until such time that there will be no more threat of Covid-19,” she added.
Since the country raised Code Red (Sub-level 2) due to the COVID-19 threat, the municipal government of Libertad decided to hold one event only of the Banigan Festival on March 13.
“We will just have one event tonight which is the Search for Miss Banigan Festival since the contestants are already prepared with their gowns,” she said.
Ten candidates represented their respective villages in the search that was held at the town plaza.
The gowns of the contestants were made of the abundant raw material called banig, or palm leaves that were hand-woven. Banig is the town’s major livelihood.
“Banig weaving since time immemorial had been the source of living of the people in Libertad that is why our festival had been named after it,” Te said.
Te added that all the other activities of the Baningan Festival slated March 13-15 had already been canceled.(With a report from PNA/PN)
