ILOILO – For the first time, the town plaza of Pototan will be without the usual spectacular lights this December. The local government unit (LGU) decided to forgo the annual Iwag Festival of Lights.
Every Christmas season, crowds are drawn to the extravagant display of holiday lights at the Pototan Plaza – known as the “Christmas Capital of Western Visayas.”
However, during this coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Mayor Rafael Enrique Lazaro deemed it “too complicated” to mount this public spectacle.
“Indi kami mag-celebrate sang Iwag Festival,” Lazaro told Panay News yesterday.
The festivities, which attract around 50,000 visitors every year, could increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission, said Lazaro.
Besides, the mayor added, it wouldn’t be right for the town to spend millions of pesos on Christmas lights as they recalibrate their vital resources to address the health crisis.
“Indi manami nga sagad kita kagasto subong nga may pandemic,” Lazaro pointed out.
Every year, the Pototan LGU allots P3 million for the staging of Iwag Festival, which runs from Dec. 16 to Jan. 2.
The mayor likewise cited Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s Executive Order No. 183-E that enforces additional and adjusted community quarantine measures on public events and gatherings under a modified general community quarantine.
But this does not mean the town would no longer adorn its plaza with Christmas lights and decorations.
According to Lazaro, instead of the elaborate display of lights and decorations that many people have been accustomed to seeing in their town every Christmas season, they would put up “just enough” to stir the spirit of Christmas.
“Mabutang lang kita sang greetings nga Merry Christmas and may gamay nga suga sa plaza. Fountain lang ang pa-andaron para lang may espiritu pa sang Christmas,” Lazaro said.
Despite a more subdued Iwag Festival, however, Lazaro is keenly aware that families would still be having get-togethers. He thus cautioned his constituents to strictly observe health protocols like wearing of facemask and face shield, physical distancing and frequent hand washing./PN
