Mayor credits annual event’s environmental efforts

By Robert Sumugat

Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon III opened the city’s 23rd Sinigayan Festival last Friday, where he credited the event’s effort in advancing environmental issues.

“Since the beginning, [the] Sinigayan Festival [has been] a celebration of protecting and saving ‘Mother Nature,’” he said. “Sagay City’s legacy is our contribution to [making] the world green again.”

In an earlier released press statement, the mayor, while noting this year’s theme of “Making Sagay… A Better Place,” said, “We have to move onward with conviction and determination to make Sagay a better place for a brighter tomorrow.”

Marañon also pointed out the city government often focuses on the “3Es,” education, environment, and economy.

Also in attendance was former Negros Occidental fourth district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer, who is currently running unopposed for Negros Occidental vice governor.

During the celebration, the former congressman officially opened the four festival villages. Among the exhibits included the Agro-Aqua Village, which features agricultural and fish products; Dagway Sagay Village, where the works of national artist Nunelucio Alvarado are on display; Tali-ambong, which showcases seafood and entertainment; and the Livestock and Poultry Fair.

Festivities are set to 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 tomorrow, March 19./RBS, WDJ