FINAL MEETING. Ako Bicol (AKB) Party-List and House Committee on Appropriations chair Rep. Elizaldy Co speaks at the final meeting for the upcoming first Bicol Loco Hot Air Balloon Festival on April 26, 2024 in Legazpi City. The event slated May 3-5 is expected to boost tourism and livelihood not just in the city but also in the entire province of Albay and even the Bicol region. (Photo from Rep. Co's Facebook page)
LEGAZPI CITY – It's all systems go for the 1st Bicol Loco Hot Air Balloon Festival on May 3-5 at the Old Legazpi Airport in this city.
In a statement on Monday, Ako Bicol (AKB) Party-List and House Committee on Appropriations chair Rep. Elizaldy Co, the mind behind the festival, said the event aims to not only entertain but also empower the local community by revitalizing the tourism sector and creating jobs in the region.
“The Bicol Loco Festival is not just a celebration of our rich culture and the breathtaking sights of our region, like the Mayon Volcano. It's also a pivotal platform for job creation, aimed at bolstering our local economy through tourism,” Co said.
He said holding the festival would let the world know more about the beauty of the Bicol region, particularly the awe-inspiring Mayon Volcano.
Aside from hot air balloon displays, the three-day event will feature skydiving and aerobatics, among others, designed to attract tourists.
The presence of renowned performers such as Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo, and Ely Buendia is likewise expected to draw large crowds, further boosting local business opportunities.
Co said by increasing tourist arrivals, the festival is expected to spur demand for local services and products, leading to job creation across various sectors such as hospitality, retail, and transportation.
“Ang pagdami ng mga turista will translate into more jobs para sa ating mga kababayan, in effect, palalakasin nito ang ating local na ekonomiya at pagagandahin ang kabuhayan ng maraming mga pamilya sa Bicol Region (The influx of tourists will translate into more jobs for our townmates, in effect, strengthening the local economy and the livelihood of many families in the Bicol Region),” he added.
Co noted free entrance to all Loco events. (PNA)
