By Robbie Pangilinan

TACLOBAN CITY - All systems are go for the month-long Sangyaw  Festival of Lights  that kicked off June 9 in Tacloban City, including safety and security SOPs.

Tacloban Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez, with the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) led by City Director Rolando Bade and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) assured the public that security measures are in place around the city following the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao.

Bade reported that they have set up check points and organized intelligence monitoring and foot patrols around the City and will deploy more than 500 policemen on June 29 during the Sangyaw parade of Lights.

“We just need to be vigilant but the celebrations will not be affected,” said the Mayor.

The festival features a motorcade, the inauguration of the Sangyawan Park at the Balyuan Grounds, a Job and Business Fair, Battle of the Bands, the Balyuan Rites; Golf Tournament, National Jet Ski  Competition, Miss Tacloban Coronation Night, Mr. Sangyaw Tacloban, Sangyaw Foundation Ball, Waray Talents Concert, Fiesta Trade Fair, Fluvial and Land Processions, and Pontifical Mass.

The highlight of the 128th Tacloban Fiesta is the Sangyaw Parade of Lights on June 29, which features decorated floats bright with LED (Light-Emitting Diodes) lights and street dancers partying to the upbeat “Sangyaw Theme.”

“In Waray-Waray, Sangyaw means to announce or herald. This Sangyaw Festival is Tacloban’s way of announcing or heralding to the whole country that we are here, strong and proud, and united towards progress. This year’s theme is ‘Unity for Progress’,” said Mayor Romualdez.