Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya—Officials of the 2019 Ammungan Festival have appealed to Novo Vizcayanos and visitors to strictly observe traffic rules, proper solid waste disposal, and punctuality in watching the events and activities of this year’s provincial anniversary celebration.
Dr. Ma. Carla Lucia Torralba, 2019 Ammungan Festival director-general, said traffic rerouting will be enforced in this town especially on May 24, the fiesta day proper, as delegations from the 15 municipalities, officials and employees of the provincial capitol, national government agencies and civil society organizations of the province, will converge for the Parade of Floats and Street Dancing Competition.
“We will be prohibiting the entry of vehicles near the grand parade route early to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and movement of our parade. Our participants are advised to come earlier to preposition their vehicles within the designated areas,” she said in a press conference Tuesday.
Torralba, also the Human Resource Management Officer of the provincial government, said the front lanes of the provincial capitol will be opened as entrances of vehicles. The gates near the Department of Public Works and Highways and National Bureau of Investigation offices will be opened as exit points.
She also appealed for the cooperation of Novo Vizcayanos and visitors alike to use waste disposal bins to ensure cleanliness and sanitation within the provincial capitol.
“Vendors will also be prohibited to sell their wares in front of the provincial capitol so that the tourism-related infrastructures will not be visually disturbed and the beauty of the provincial capitol will be appreciated,” Torralba added.
Programs, activities and events of this year’s Ammungan Festival will last from May 22 to 26. It will start with a thanksgiving mass and grand opening on May 22, a Wednesday.
The Ammungan (gathering) Festival promotes the unity and harmony of various cultures and traditions of ethnolinguistic tribes in Nueva Vizcaya, including their contribution to the general development and progress of the province.
The province hosts the most number of tribes in the country such as the Gaddangs, Isinais, Bugkalots, Iwaks, Ifugaos, Kalanguyas, Kankanaeys and Ibalois, among others.
“We hope that all our candidates after the May 13 elections will also come and join our celebration of our anniversary as united Novo Vizcayanos,” Torralba said.