An ordinance institutionalizing the Bacolaodiat Festival as an official festival of Bacolod City was passed on third and final reading by the Sangguniang Panlungsod Thursday.

The ordinance said the Bacolaodiat Festival shall be celebrated every year, during the Chinese Spring Festival period (which starts from the New Year and ends 15 days after the Chinese New Year), hence, there will be no specific date to hold the event.

It said the festival, which is primarily an activity of the city, will be handled by the Negros Tsinoy, a federation of Chinese and Filipino-Chinese organizations in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, and will be supported by the local government in the form of financial assistance.

The ordinance said the Bacolaodiat Festival, as one of the public events of the city, will embody the character and identity of the Chinese and Filipino-Chinese nationals in welcoming the coming year as part of their tradition.

It said the City of Bacolod recognizes and honors the contribution of the Chinese and Filipino-Chinese community in the survival of the local economy, as well as, the richness of its unique cultural practices, which has strengthened the ties between the local government and the Chinese community, and has improved its working relationship in business and other undertakings.

The ordinance, proposed by Councilors Homer Bais, Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Greg Gasataya, Al Victor Espino, Dindo Ramos and Lyndon Caña, shall take effect immediately after its approval as provided by law.*CGS

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