TACLOBAN CITY – Unlike the provincial government headed by Governor Jericho “Icot” Petilla, the city government under Mayor Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez would participate in the forthcoming “Bset of the Region Festival” in Intramuros, Manila.

City Administrator Jimmy “Jimjim” Yaokasin Jr. confirmed this during the weekly media forum “Express It At The Park” held at Leyte ark Resort on Saturday.

According to- him, everything is all set as far as the city’s participation in this tourism-related activity.

“This is such a big event for the city to ignore. This would help showcase what Tacloban City could offer to the tourists. It is during this kind of event that normally draws big crowds,” Yaokasin said.

The event is sponsored by the Department of Tourism as part of its effort to draw tourists to different parts of the country. Last September, the same event was also staged at the Clamshell, Intramuros.

The presentation of Eastern Visayas was one of the most successful among the 17 regions that participated in the event, both in terms of sales generated from locally made products and number of persons who went to the event site.

Leyte Representative and former Governor Remedios “Matin” Petilla had confirmed that the provincial government would not participate in this event that would be held in historic Intramuros starting December 1 until December 15.

Tourism Regional Director Norma Morantte has earlier said that all local government units in the region have agreed to join the event which aims to draw tourists to all parts of the country.

With the non-participation of the Leyte, Yaokasin said ‘the city of Tacloban may well represent the province” during this event.

The city government, according to the city administrator, would be sending a lean delegation during this “Best of the Region Festival,” which has a regional theme of “Kasadya Ning Takna-a.”

He said that about 10 people from the city government would represent the city during the 15-day even. Mayor Romualdez and Tourism City Officer Jake Ligan would lead the city delegation.

For this activity, the city government has set aside P180, 000, Yaokasin added.