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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 12 Feb) – Governor Jose Maria Zubiri of Bukidnon has ordered the cancellation of the renowned Kaamulan Festival in Malaybalay City amid the 2019 coronavirus (now officially named “Covid-19” by the World Health Organization) that swept China and several other countries, including the Philippines.
Zubiri signed the memorandum today urging all mayors, barangay officials and Lumad leaders to stop the preparation for the Kaamulan Festival slated from March 23 to April 23.
The order came after Gov. Zubiri received a memo from Health Secretary Francisco Duque III urging the public not to attend concerts and public gatherings due to the coronavirus.
According to the Department of Health, there are still five patients admitted for monitoring in Region 10 as of today.
“In view thereof, the 2020 Kaamulan is hereby cancelled as a pro-active measure to keep the people of the province safe from the highly infectious disease,” Zubiri said.
The 2020 Kaamulan is the latest casualty because of the scare.
Mayor Sara Duterte earlier cancelled activities for the “Araw ng Dabaw” commemoration in March, followed by the local government of General Santos City which cancelled its Kalilangan Festival scheduled this month.
Kaamulan Festival an ethnic cultural event participated by the seven major Lumad groups in Bukidnon.
The month-long event features Lumad games, dances, street dances and a rodeo by homegrown cowboys. These events attract thousands of tourists. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)