North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco. (Photo courtesy of North Cotabato PIO)
COTABATO CITY – North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco announced Thursday the cancellation of the province's annual prestigious Kalivungan Festival due to the continuing threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“It is with deep regret that we announce the cancellation of the Kalivungan Festival 2020 activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Catamco said in a statement posted on the provincial government’s Facebook Page.
The governor said the safety and well-being of all North Cotabateños remain the utmost priority of the provincial government, citing it as one of the reasons for her decision to call off the annual event.
The Kalivungan festival showcases the agricultural harvests and culture of various tribes from the 17 towns and lone city of the province. It coincides with the celebration of the foundation anniversary of the province every September.
Kalivungan, a Manobo word that signifies "get-together”, is one of the highlights of North Cotabato’s foundation anniversary.
The annual event, which was launched in 2012, also aims to promote Filipino culture and tradition among the youth.
Catamco said the province's 106th founding anniversary this year has also been called off, in compliance with the directive of the National Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19. (With a report from Noel Punzalan/PNA)
