Preparations for the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2023 have shifted to high gear, with less than a month before it kicks off Oct. 1.
Mayor John Dalipe convened city department heads and division chiefs for the regular huddle Monday morning, September 11, to tackle details of the preparation for the grandest Festival in Zamboanga Peninsula.
City Tourism Officer Sarita Sebastian reported during the huddle that the mayor has approved a total of P19.687M for the Hermosa Festival 2023 which includes more than 70 activities – 8 are major events and 64 minor events, that will be conducted from Oct. 1 to 15, under the tagline “Celebracion de Colores.”
Launching of the Hermosa Festival, a formal event, is set on Sept. 21 at 6pm at the Royce Convention while the opening salvo, back to back with Universidad de Zamboanga’s 75th Founding anniversary is set at 6pm on October 1 at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex in Baliwasan. A fireworks display is set on the opening as well as closing ceremonies.
Mayor Dalipe has instructed the City Tourism Office and other concerned departments to ensure that all documents for the procurement of services and other requirements for the festival will be processed on time so that the 15-day activity will be successful.
Last week, Mayor Dalipe convened the security sector to finalize strategies to ensure the peaceful celebration of the Hermosa Festival which is in honor of the feast of Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar, the city’s patron saint.
The huddle every Monday is an initiative of Mayor Dalipe to strengthen collaboration between and among department heads and CMO division chiefs, as part of the latter’s thrust on transparency and accountability. (Sheila Covarrubias)