Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. yesterday questioned the “relevance” of the annual Mudpack Festival, which is observed at the provincial government-operated Mambukal Mountain Resort.

“Who benefits from the Mudpack Festival?” he asked. “Are the people coming there? It seems they do not.”

“We spend P600,00 every year for it,” he added.

However, acting Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator, Dr. Lucille Gelvolea, noted, most of the rooms at the resort were booked in advance in anticipation for the event.

Marañon also questioned if the festival has any “moral value” for children.

“Will the children learn from it?” the governor prodded. “Will it change their values?”

Earlier, Gelvolea said the annual festival, initially scheduled to take place this weekend, from June 15 to 17, was canceled with the 23 percent drop in provincial government operating costs and the implementation of a P5 million crisis and disaster plan for Mambukal./DGB, WDJ