Senator Francis Tolentino commended Sagay City for its continuous environmental protection efforts, which he said other local government units should emulate after the city was recently awarded as one of the Top 100 Destinations in the world.
Tolentino, who was the guest speaker at the Sinigayan Festival opening at the Sagay City Public Plaza Wednesday, March 15, said that the city is blessed because it has surmounted every challenge and has advocated so much for the protection of the environment.
“The international awards given to Sagay should serve as a lesson and we should pass it on to the next generation,” the senator said.
During the program, the city’s plaques of recognition from the Internationale Tourismus-Börse Convention in Berlin, Germany, were presented to the public.
Sagay City was recently awarded as Top 2 in the Nature and Scenery Category and the People’s Choice Award in the Top 100 Green Destination Stories.
Sagay City was nominated in the Top 100 Destination Stories by Susan Cardenas, president of the Society for Sustainable Tourism and Development, and Green Destinations Southeast Asia partner representatives.
Tolentino said that more than the lovely and festive colors, Sagay is a trailblazing city that cares for the environment and he hopes that it will be passed on to the next generation.
The ceremonies opened with the parade of government officials and employees, barangay representatives, non-government and civil services organizations, and national government agencies from Sagay National High School to the plaza and featured floats with themes about environment conservation.
Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr. said that the festival’s theme “We Listen… We Act Together” calls for being mindful and sensitive to the needs of our people especially the poor, the oppressed, and those in the hemline of our society.
“As government leaders, we need to go out of our comfort zone, talk to the people in our communities and listen to their stories, their problems, and their urgent needs that must be acted upon promptly,” Javelosa said, adding “In so doing, we would be able to implement programs that respond effectively to their needs.”
Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) said the past two years were challenging for Sagaynons “but in those difficult times, we have seen the best in our community”.
“We have seen people come together to support each other, help those in need, and keep our city safe. So, let us come together today and in the days ahead, to listen and act, to build a better Sagay and a brighter future for all of its people,” Marañon said.
Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva also said that the awards given to Sagay recently also set a challenge to Sagay to create more programs and sustainable opportunities for communities, while advocating the preservation and conservation of the environment.
After the opening ceremonies, Tolentino and the city officials also led the opening of the festival villages: Bugay-Sagay Agro-Aqua Festival Village, Dagway Sagay Arts and Culture Festival Village, Taliambong Food Festival Village, and Livestock and Poultry Fair and Exhibits.*