Lawmaker wants to regulate spending for fiestas

In these difficult times, why not ban costly fiestas, festivals, stage shows, beauty contests, and similar grandiose festivities so the people can save money?

The suggestion was made by Zambales Rep. Antonio Diaz, who filed House Bill 5161 seeking to regulate the celebration of fiestas, festivals and similar activities.

“While these celebrations bring delight to our people, the fact remains that these affairs are grandiosely celebrated, causing people to spend beyond their means,” he said.

“People squander precious time and money to stage needless celebrations. Moreover, donations are being asked from various sectors to finance stage shows, beauty contests and similar unproductive activities,” he said.

He said many Filipinos working abroad even return to their hometowns and spend their hard-earned money to join fiesta celebrations.

“It has been proven that Filipinos working abroad and those who spend their hard-earned money wisely become rich and prosperous in due time, while those who spend their earnings on unnecessary expenditures still experience the difficulty of making both ends meet,” he said.

Diaz said it is the duty of the State “to redirect the time, effort and finances of its people to more productive ventures rather than allow them to spend their money for flamboyant and unimportant affairs.”

Diaz’s bill seeks to limit the amount of money provinces, cities, towns, and barangays or villages can spend for fiestas, festivals and similar festivities.

The limits are P100,000 for provinces, P50,000 for cities, P30,000 for first- and second-class towns, P25,000 for third- and fourth-class towns, P20,000 for fifth- and sixth-class municipalities, and P10,000 for barangays.

It also discourages local government units and state agencies from participating in agro-industrial or trade fairs and exhibits, cultural presentations, sports competitions and similar activities.

People behind fiestas, festivals, beauty contests, sports events, and other festivities would be banned from soliciting donations.

Any person who violates the proposed ban, once it becomes law, would pay a fine of P10,000 to P15,000. If he is a government official or employee, in addition to the fine, he would be suspended for 10 to 30 days.

Malacañang has warned people to brace for harder times in the wake of the global financial and economic crisis, but has not told them what specifically they should do or not do.

Administration critics said it is the government and its officials who should set the example in austerity and simple living.