Puerto Princesa City lit the community Christmas tree, which is shorter by 20 feet than last year’s 100-foot tree, at Puerto Princesa Baywalk on December 1, as part of the Pistahan sa Puerto Princesa 2018, Kapistahan ng Immaculada Concepcion.
With Christmas jingles being sang by a chorale in the background, about a thousand people enjoyed the program which was led by the city officials. “Ang pagpapailaw ng ating community Christmas tree ay bilang pagbubukas ng pista, ng pagdiriwang ng ating pasko at bagong taon,” said City Mayor Lucilo Bayron.
However, the City Mayor said that the gigantic tree was lower than last year’s. He added that for safety measures, the city government decided to dismantle the tree due to its rusty metal parts and to conform with Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) requirements. He also admitted that the city also lacked time to decorate the tree.
“Ang community Christmas tree natin last year ay 120 feet ngunit for safety reasons kailangaan i-dismantle o ibaba for safety reasons dahil kinakalawang ang mga metal parts niyan.
Itong community Christmas tree natin ngayong taon ay mas mababa ng 20 feet compared doon sa nakaraan dahil kinapos na rin tayo sa panahon na itayo ito at i-decorate, at upang ag conform tayo sa requirements ng CAAP,” said Mayor Bayron during his speech.