An initiative that aims to deepen understanding of our very own hablon from the processes, best practices, and innovations in Miagao’s weaving industry, with a focus on preserving and promoting the hablon tradition. It is their belief that the Local Government Unit of Miagao under the administration of Hon. Engr. Oscar “Richard” S. Garin, Jr.’s expertise in this field can serve as a valuable model for their region, and collaboration with us in organizing a meaningful learning exchange for the benefit of various stakeholders in the textile sector.

During the coordination meeting with Atty. Henida Genise, Municipal Legal Officer, Mr. John F. Nocal, OIC/ Municipal Administrator/ PESO Manager and Mrs. Mary Diane N. Flordeliza, MDGH I/ Municipal Tourism Officer had shared and discussed the following:

-Details of the Learning Exchange Visit: Itinerary, logistics, and key participants;

-The Cotton Spinning Facility in Iloilo Science and Technology University;

-Sharing of Best Practices: Highlighting Miagao’s successful initiatives in the hablon weaving industry and;

-Opportunities for Collaboration: Potential partnerships with the Ministry and other organizations.

 

The Local Governement Unit of Miagao under the administration of Hon. Engr. Oscar “Richard” S. Garin, Jr. has ordered municipal offices and national agencies to keep their places safe during the Holy Week, as heavy people traffic is expected, with Miagawanons’ penchant for observing traditional religious rites and even recreation.

An order to mobilize tourism information centers, law and traffic enforcers, barangay tanods, peacekeeping action teams, public safety officers during the Christian holiday in the Municipality intensifies as to their visibility from Sto. Tomas De Villanueva Parish, “Miagao Church World Heritage Site” to entry points provided by Tourism Miagao up until you reach local tourist destinations.

As for LGU Miagao, we ensure that people can undertake their activities without worrying about their safety. We put the highest priority in peace, order, public safety, ensuring tourism assistance, medical emergency services, and traffic management.

The Municipal Tourism Office recently convened a meeting with the Tourism Office and Peace & Order Volunteers to ensure the effective delivery of tourism support services during Semana Santa.

This meeting provided a platform to synchronize the goals of both entities, underscoring the significance of maintaining a safe environment to enhance tourism and highlight the town’s unique attractions.

Tourism Officer Mrs. Mary Diane Flordeliza emphasized that the anticipated surge in visitors during special events makes the participation of Peace & Order Volunteers crucial for maintaining order and offering assistance as needed.

“By clarifying roles, responsibilities, and contingency plans, we can foster collaboration between the Tourism Office and Peace & Order Volunteers,” she stated. “This will not only uphold our community’s reputation as a welcoming and secure destination but also enhance the overall visitor experience.”

An initial step to honoring the artistic excellence and acclaiming the uniqueness and diversity Miagao’s heritage and culture, the Local Government Unit of Miagao led by Municipal Mayor, Hon. Engr. Oscar “Richard” S. Garin, Jr. through The Office of The Municipal Tourism Officer, headed by Mrs. Mary Diane N. Flordeliza, MGDH I/ Municipal Tourism Officer spearheaded the Ignite & Unite: A Collaborative Workshop for Local Artists today, April 7, 2025 (Monday) at the Miagao Municipal Hall.

The Municipality of Miagao aims to outline Miagaowanon’s creative desire which is derived from collective imagination through any form of medium, not just individual aspirations. Our local artists from secondary schools and those who registered online from Tourism Miagao link provided signifies a community that places a high value on imagination, innovation, and artistic expressions as integral components of our identity and progress. Tourism Miagao, artistic pursuits are honored as vital contributions to the Municipality’s development and cultural richness.

Mr. Valsermar Cernan Monsale Faicol, Resource Speaker during the gathering of Miagao’s local artists aspires to channel the creative energies of artists towards nation-building, combining arts into the lives of today’s generation fostering a sense of community and pride in our cultural identity. This was followed by an Open Forum stimulating critical discourse, awareness, and appreciation of various arts and art disciplines through different emerging platforms by our Local artists.

This event strategically targets the identifiable art mediums like oil painting, fine art photography, graphic art, and watercolor to name a few that will uphold the objectives of Tourism Miagao to conserve, promote, and popularize artistic creations of our local artists. It will also feature a diverse array of performances, immersive workshops, and engaging talks meant to empower the young minds attending.

“The bandstand is not among the cultural heritage sites submitted to the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA),” stated Mrs. Mary Diane N. Flordeliza, Municipal Tourism Officer, when asked about the status of the controversial bandstand in relation to the historical sites or cultural properties of the Municipality of Miagao.

Mrs. Flordeliza outlined that Miagao boasts seven historical landmarks: Miagao Church, Taytay Boni, Kuta Watchtower, Roman Catholic Cemetery Chapel, Tan Pedro Monteclaro Monument, Tan Pedro Monteclaro Residence, and Baluarte Watchtower.

On July 30, 2019, the Sangguniang Bayan approved Resolution No. B2019-039, which adopted an updated inventory of cultural properties for the Municipality of Miagao. This inventory includes the aforementioned seven historical landmarks as well as ten additional cultural properties: two Spanish-era cannons, the municipal public plaza, the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Christ the King Monument, a fountain in front of the municipal government building, the cultural hall, Britanico Bridge, photographs/frames of former local chief executives and town heads, the ‘History of Miagao’ book, and local industries – hablon weaving, bamboo craft, among others.

CULTURAL MAPPING RESULT

In 2022, during the term of former Mayor Macario Napulan, the former tourism office, led by Anthony Selorio, submitted a Profile of Significant Cultural Heritage to the NCCA as part of their cultural mapping initiative. “The list included 80 cultural heritage sites; however, it did not name the bandstand,” Mrs. Flordeliza noted.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

In his address during the Flag Raising Ceremony, Mayor Richard Garin emphasized that “no plans will be implemented without proper consultations.” He further stressed that the Annual Investment Plan is derived from proposals by barangay leaders and recognized non-governmental organizations within the municipality, all of which received approval from the Sangguniang Bayan headed by Vice Mayor Macario Napulan.

It may be noted that the rehabilitation of the municipal plaza stirred discussions, particularly concerning the idea of the demolition of the bandstand.

In his part, Mayor Garin said that it will not be demolished but will be relocated to its proper place.