By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved P1.5 million worth of financial assistance intended for the 7th Bacolod Diwali Festival, which begins tomorrow, November 7, and runs until Saturday, November 9. However, City Councilor Cindy Rojas, who chairs the SP Committee on Finance and Appropriations, said funding can only be released if the festival organizer submits a liquidation report.
According to Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, the local Indian community was unable to hold the Diwali Festival last year because the organizer failed to liquidate expenses during the 2017 event.
The yearly celebration and the financial assistance extended by the city to the festival organizer was based on the Diwali Festival Ordinance.
According to the ordinance, “The event aims to foster better friendship, cultural as well as economic ties between the Filipino and Indian communities in this city.”
It goes on to say, “The festival will be celebrated during the second weekend of November of each year.”/DGB, WDJ