The 23rd Sinigayan Festival opens today in Sagay City. The observance celebrates the conservation of the environment as the city is home to the country’s largest marine reserve.

Among the events scheduled to take place include the Sinigayan Queen contest, various sporting events, Voice Idol of Sagay, Sinigayan Bike Festival, Sinigayan Grand Parade, opening of four festival villages, farmers and livestock events, and barangay best product competition.

Festivities close with the “Saot Para Sa Dunang Manggad,” a dance contact between various barangay clusters, scheduled to take place in the city’s public plaza on Tuesday, March 19.

“We have to move onward with conviction and determination to make Sagay a better place for a brighter tomorrow,” said Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon III, noting this year’s theme as “Making Sagay… A Better Place.”

Meanwhile, last week, the city hosted the 3rd Tinabu-ay Sa Taytay, a pre-Sinigayan Festival led by the Department of Education-Division of Sagay City.

During the event, a motorcade was held.

Negros Occidental second district Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva took part in the motorcade and noted how the festival evolved from primarily focusing on “cultural heritage and environmental protection programs” to “what we are going to do for the next generations of Sagaynons.”/WDJ