LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Spectators of Pistay Dayat’s Banca Parada or the grand parade of a large fleet of artistically-fashioned motorized sea vessels had a spectacular view of the event in areas set by the organizers.
Depicting ‘Masaganang Ilog at Karagatan, Yaman ng Pangasinan’ as theme, the fluvial parade sailed along the Limahong Channel of Agno River on May 1 from its staging area in sitio Bantayan, Pangapisan, passing underneath the Domalandan bridge in Lingayen, and ended at the riverside below the Banaga bridge in Bugallon.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Rhodyn Lochinvar Oro, Event Chairperson, said the best viewing areas for the public include river banks along the river, atop or under the Domalandan bridge and in areas near the fluvial parade culminating area under the Banaga bridge.
Oro said these areas were prepared by PDRRMO crewmen to accommodate the large crowd of spectators at the peak of Pistay Dayat revelry last May 1.
The annual banca parade showcased of the beauty and history of the revived rivers of Pangasinan which has undergone series of clearing and clearing operations conducted by Task Force Kalikasan as part of the ‘Ilog Ko, Aroen tan Bilayen Ko’ environmental advocacy of the provincial government.
Believed to have been by 15th century pirate Limahong for his escape when he was pursued by Spanish colonizers, Limahong Channel is a historically significant natural feature of Pangasinan that was utilized for transportation in the antiquity.
Contingents in the fluvial parade are clustered in three categories namely: category A (offices and hospitals of the provincial government), category B (city/municipal local government units, national government agencies and non-government organizations) and category C (barangays).
The best fluvial float entries brought home trophies, certificates of recognition and cash prizes for winners in all categories that included: Php25,000 (best fluvial float), Php20,000 (1st runner-up) and Php15,000 (2nd runner-up).
Governor Amado I. Espino, III led the Pistay Dayat commemorative program right after the banca parade where winning fluvial floats was recognized.
By Dexter A. See