BY GLENDA TAYONA and IME SORNITO
ILOILO City – The 2020 edition of the annual Paraw Regatta has been scrapped.
After two postponements of the sailing race, Mayor Jerry Treñas announced yesterday, “next year na lang” due to the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Paraw Regatta was originally scheduled on Feb. 23 to March 1. The schedule was changed to April (1-5) after Treñas issued an executive order cancelling all big events for February and March.
But with the COVID-19 threat growing, Treñas said doing away with the regatta this year would be wiser.
Staging it in November was initially explored but the mayor said wind conditions at the Iloilo Strait may not be ideal for the sailing race anymore.
“Hopefully, next year na lang. Mangamuyo kita nga matapos na ini tanan,” said Treñas.
Paraw Regatta is a race of wind-propelled native boats. Now on its 48th year, it is considered the oldest sailing event in Asia and the largest in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, three festivals in Iloilo province scheduled this month have been cancelled after Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. ordered on Wednesday the suspension of big gatherings for 45 days. These were the following:
* Pintados de Pasi Festival of Passi City – highlight should have been on March 22
* Himud-os Festival of Alimodian town – March 21
* Pagdaug-Saludan Festival of Tigbauan town – March 18
Passi City’s Mayor Stephen Palmares said his people’s health should come first.
Pintados de Pasi attracts between 80,000 to 100,000 spectators annually, said Palmares.
The festival would be staged when the situation improves, he said without giving any date.
Mayor Geefre Alonsabe of Alimodian said he would be calling for a meeting with barangay captains today and explain the decision to postpone Himud-os Festival to a later date.
The festival has six competing contigents; the local government already released to them financial subsidies, said Alonsabe.
On the other hand, Mayor Suzette Tenefrancia-Alquisada of Tigbauan said, “The health and safety of our constituents is the primary concern of this local government unit.”
The 2020 Pagdaug-Saludan Festival is on its sixth year now./PN
