Preparations all set for Banca Parada 2014

Lingayen --- Pangasinenses, revelers from other provinces and tourists could have a great perspective to watch “Banca Parada,” the fluvial parade of Pangasinan Pistay Dayat (Sea Festival) celebration, at the Domalandan Bridge in Lingayen, at the riverbanks of Agno River and atop and below the Banaga Bridge in Bugallon on May 1 at 7AM.

The fluvial parade makes Pistay Dayat distinct from other festivals in the Philippines, showcasing a large cluster of colorful and artistically-designed bancas (water vessels) cruising along the clean and revived waters of Agno river from sitio Bantayan, Pangapisan Norte, Lingayen and ends at the Banaga Bridge in Bugallon.

Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. will lead the parade that will be participated in by some 144 contingents (as of April 28) -- Local Government Units (LGUs), National Government Agencies (NGAs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and Private Business Sectors (PBS).

The provincial government will also bare the winners of the 2014 search for the “Cleanest Rivers and Riverbanks” and “LGU best practices in environmental governance” in its Pakar Awards and Commemorative Program that will be held below the Banaga Bridge after the fluvial parade.

The fluvial parade, a component activity of the “Ilog Ko, Aroen Tan Bilayen Ko” environmental advocacy of the provincial government’s Coastal Resource Management Program, also serves as an avenue to glorify the bounties of the Agno River and its tributaries.

Floats must depict the theme “Ilog Ko, Aroen Ko Tan Bilayen Ko” and bear the name and logo of the participating agency or institution.

Participants have the option to provide their own motorized bancas or they may rent through the PHO at a rate of Php 2,500 per banca. The bancas will be ready for decoration at Daungan, Pangapisan Norte, Lingayen, on April 30, starting at 1PM.

Materials that will be used as props and decorations must be dominated by indigenous and biodegradable materials and corresponding budgetary requirements shall be shouldered by the participants.

Further, the bancas shall have a maximum of 5 passengers who are advised to wear colorful outfits with relevance to their respective offices and or companies.

The Most Decorative Float will be judged on the judging criteria: Ingenuity, Creativity and Artistry (30%), Relevance to the theme (30%), Dominance in the use of indigenous and biodegradable materials (30%) and Over-all impact (10%).

The “Most Decorative Fluvial Floats” in categories A (LGU-towns and cities, NGOs, NGAs) and B (LGU-barangays) will receive the following prizes: Php 20,000 (Champion); Php 15,000 (1st Runner-Up); and Php 10, 000 (2nd Runner-Up).

For further inquiries, participants may contact Event Secretariat members Rhodalia Binay-an, Mary Cecile Perez and Mirasol Mina at 0920-977-2587; 0917-574-3062; and 0925-5284-522.