Koronadal City—- To bring a more festive and tourist-drawing Tnalak Festival next year, the South Cotabato Provincial Government plans to invite private companies and business firms to sponsor various ‘fiesta activities’ as a tourism strategy, while generating more income to the province in return.
The Governor, during 'Balikbayan Night'-- one of the successful events of T'nalak Festival 2011.
In a media forum, Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. disclosed that some members suggested the participation of business sector in sponsoring events during next year’s T’nalak Festival.
Pingoy said, “just like this year when we decided to carry the provincial fiesta mode in selected towns… we would like to gradually incorporate the involvement of the private sector.”
For the first time, some T’nalak events like motocross, agri-trade fair, and horse fight were set in Polomolok, Tupi and Lake Sebu respectively.
He, however, said that based on observations, the agri-trade fair, which is a constant crowd-drawer, did not excel fairly this year compared to previous agricultural related events which were first located in Koronadal City.
“This is where our business and private sector would come in,” Pingoy said, stressing on the importance of putting more side events in one major event like Agri-Trade Fair to continuously excite aficionados to visit the area.
The Provincial Chief Executive emphasized that not all events during the fiesta will be handled by the private sector like inviting showbiz personalities for concerts, where the LGU could make arrangements that would entail low cost while the latter handles the production cost.
“I am sure multi-companies would want to showcase their products,” Pingoy said. He added that “they are more than willing to partner with LGU.”
As early as today, Pingoy has initial talk with San Miguel Team of the PBA to come over for the 2012 T’nalak Festival.
“Some of the big cities in the country like Iloilo, Davao and GenSan are doing this strategy, and we also tried it here… This actually works,” Pingoy said.
By Annaliz Cabrido
