The Partido Negorense of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and Hugpong Ng Pagbabago of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte are expected to coalesce in the coming days after a meeting of both leaders in Davao during the weekend.
Gov. Degamo was in Davao to attend a meeting called for by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) among the cluster of provinces, to discuss the President’s campaign against illegal drugs.
In that meeting, Commission on Audit rules and regulations were ironed out, insofar as use of funds is concerned, to enhance the various barangay, city, municipal and provincial drug councils, the governor said on Tuesday.
During a lull in that meeting, he disclosed that he invited Mayor Duterte to be the guest speaker in the forthcoming Buglasan Festival of Festivals this coming October, which she accepted, he added.
According to the governor, Mayor Duterte cancelled all her schedules on the day of the Buglasan festival showdown to be the guest of honor and speaker.
After the invitation, Degamo introduced his Partido Negorense and was happy that Mayor Duterte accepted the proposal for an inter-local coalition with Hugpong Ng Pagbabago.
He said the coalition is an interesting combination that will serve as a vehicle for more development in the province because of the support of no less than the daughter of the President.
Meanwhile, all is set for the Buglasan Festival of Festivals 2018, except for a few concerns to be ironed out.
But, according to Gov. Degamo, not all local government units will be participating this year, which he believes has something to do with “politicking.”
The governor understands the predicament because this coming October is the filing period for candidacy for the local elections next year.
Degamo, however, stressed the non-participation of some mayors in this year’s Buglasan festivities will not hamper the province’s celebration of its annual fiesta.
Buglasan festival is not for the mayors but for the people of the province, he stressed.
Degamo pointed out that Buglasan Festival of Festivals should not be politicized because this is a showcase of talents, culture and the arts of Negrenses, a time for talented and skillful individuals to present their wares before visitors.
This is also the best time to show to the public the locals’ respective specialties, farm products, and tourist destinations, among others.
According to the governor, he inherited the holding of the festival from the previous leaders of the province, so there is no reason for the incumbent officials not to support the same. (PNA)
