Daan Bantayan's Haladaya festival peaceful, successful

The 4th celebration of the Haladaya Festival in Daanbantayan town was assessed to be successful and generally peaceful with no untoward incidents after security measures were tightened during the two-day event held last April 21 to 22.

The town tightened security measures during the said event with the deployment of augmentation forces from the neighboring municipalities of Medellin, Tabogon, San Remegio and Bogo. Aside from the augmentation forces, additional personnel from the Special Reaction Unit were also deployed for security purposes during the event.

PO2 Mamerto Gastador said yesterday that Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez graced the said celebration last Saturday.

He said that stringent security measures were implemented during the two-day event in anticipation of prominent persons from various sectors and the throngs of people who came to witness the celebration.

Haladaya festival, a street dance competition, was conceptualized in 2002 and is patterned after Cebu City's Sinulog. The event was participated in by the town's 20 barangays. - Norvie S. Misa