GLAN, Sarangani — The provincial government announced a significant shift for the Sarangani Bay Festival 2026, pivoting from its traditional large-scale beach parties to a focused environmental advocacy event on May 22.
Governor Rogelio D. Pacquiao confirmed that this year’s celebration will feature no grand stages or national musical acts. The decision stems from rising economic pressures and global tensions affecting the prices of local commodities.
"Our priority is our fisherfolk and our farmers," Pacquiao said. "The real celebration is not measured by the size of the stage, but by the strength of our unity."
Officials clarified that the festival is not canceled but "reimagined." The 2026 iteration will focus strictly on the "I Love Clean SarBay" movement, prioritizing coastal cleanups and marine ecosystem protection.
The move aims to safeguard the livelihoods of "SarBay Heroes"—the local workers, fisherfolks, farmers and coastal residents—while ensuring the sustainability of the bay’s resources.
By stripping away the grand production, the province intends to redirect focus toward environmental defense and community resilience during the ongoing global oil crisis.
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