PTCO proposes GAF 2022 activities

Marichelle O. Costales, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer of the Provincial Tourism and Culture Office (PTCO) laid out the proposed activities for the 183rd Founding Anniversary or the Grand Ammungan Festival during the first regular meeting of the Provincial Tourism Council at the Nueva Vizcaya Paragliding site in Tiblac, Ambaguio last February 15, 2022.

“We are proposing to have a scheduled blended online and face to face activities, hence will be called the Grand Ammungan Festival 2022 – Hybrid celebration,” said Costales during the meeting.

Costales also added that the highlight of the celebration will be the “First Nueva Vizcaya Tourism Expo” which will focus on the promotion of local tourism sites and products of the 15 towns of the province.

Participating municipalities will be provided with a subsidy of P50, 000 each, and an area to put up a booth that will showcase tourist sites, products, and tourist activities in their municipalities.

Activities also include a Thanksgiving Mass which will be attended by a select audience and will be held at the Nueva Vizcaya Convention Center. It will also be aired live through the official social media platform of the provincial government.

After the mass, the opening and ribbon cutting of the First Nueva Vizcaya Tourism Expo will follow which will run from May 24 to 27, 2022.

A pre-recorded virtual cultural show that will showcase the cultural heritage of the province will also be aired during the celebration.

A live music concert called Ammungan Musikahan featuring local performers will also be held at the capitol grounds and will also be aired live.

Members of the council suggested to add local indigenous songs in the Musikahan, conduct an art exhibition of local artists and the conduct of the Search for Saniata ti Nueva Vizcaya.

Costales said that all suggestions from the council will be presented to the Governor for approval. Winners for the first Tourism Expo will take home a cash prize of up to P100, 000 and plaque and a consolation prize of P20, 000 each for non-winners.