Lang-ay Fest to proceed per sked

BONTOC, Mtn. Province – With streamlined activities, the Lang-ay Festival will go on as scheduled as long as there are no fortuitous events or hindrances.
This year’s Steering Committee met last Wednesday, March 18, 2026, to decide the fate of the provincial festival once and for all amidst tense discussions.
Ably presided by the Provincial Administrator John Likigan, those present who represented the provincial offices and national line agencies decided to push through with the Lang-ay Festival on April 6-11, 2026.
It is to be noted that on April 6, the 59TH Foundation Day celebrations start with the opening program for the Agro-Trade Fair will be conducted in the morning preceded by a thanksgiving ceremony. April 7 is the commemoration of the Foundation Day of the province with a simple program to be held at the open court in Eyeb.
One of the much-awaited activities during previous Lang-ays is the Lang-ay on the Street sponsored by the Office of the Congressman. This will be held on the main street of the town on the afternoon of April 8, 2026.
The Search for Mr. and Ms. MP and the Medical Missions will be part of the celebrations but with different dates and venues with the cost cutting measures considered.
In compliance with Memorandum Circular 114 of Malacanang mandating for energy conservation and cost cutting measures, activities during night times that incur much lighting are cancelled such as the governor’s night, the gangsa night, and the exhibitors’ night.
The 19th Lang-ay commemoration main events will be the Street Dancing and the Cultural Presentations on April 11 with a program at the Eyeb grounds.
Other activities such as the trail walk for a cause, MARCSONGS concert, wreath laying and candle lighting ceremonies, and original song competitions will be conducted separately on various dates.
Mayor Marcial Lawilao, the president of the Mayors’ League in the province, asked for the allocation of budgets of cancelled activities to augment the expenses to be incurred by the municipalities’ contingents.
It was not clear if the request will be granted. The Finance Committee will reportedly meet to tackle this matter.
But the bulk of the Lang-ay budget has allocated for the financial assistance to the municipal contingents and the prizes in the competitions.
Lawilao proposed that the presentations will be considered exhibitions with no prizes but that the allocations for prizes are be given to the municipalities. Apprehensions surfaced that the municipalities may not exert best efforts for the shows and may just proceed for compliance’s sake only.
These and other concerns were not cleared but may be tackled in succeeding meetings.
The main thing is clear: The Lang-ay Festival will go on!**Roger Sacyaten