Turnout Increases in LU’s Pasko sa Kapitolyo 2019
By: Camille R. Bumatay, OPG-MPIU | Photo By: Sonny Buenaventura, OPG–MPIU | Date: January 5, 2020
Vice Gov. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega highlights how the Capitol Candy Land brought smiles to the visitors in his message during the Pasko sa Kapitolyo 2019 Closing Program on January 5, 2020 at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, City of San Fernando, La Union.
A gushing 134.5% increase in visitors in Pasko sa Kapitolyo 2019 was recorded after 37 days of opening the Provincial Capitol’s Candy Land to the public in celebration of the Christmas Season from November 29, 2019 to January 5, 2020.
From a total of 148,485 visitor arrival in 2018, there were 348,192 visitors who came to see the Pasko sa Kapitolyo 2019. To evaluate and get feedback from the visitors, the Office of the Provincial Governor – Media and Public Information Unit conducted a survey in the duration of the event with 2,002 respondents.
The survey showed that majority of the visitors are in the age bracket of 16-20 years old. 185 of the respondents were tourists coming mainly from adjacent provinces of Ilocos Sur (62), Pangasinan (43), and Benguet (22).
This year’s highlights were the Tunnel of Lights, Pagoda, Candy Land Carousel, Christmas Bazaar, and Paintings as recorded favorite sites by the respondents. The intensified promotion of the event is evident in the survey results showing that the respondents learned about the event through Social Media 46%, Family and Friends 33%, and Posters and Tarpaulins 11%.
97% of the respondents said that the Pasko sa Kapitolyo 2020 met their overall expectations with the set-up and physical arrangement, activities and services. 99% said that they will recommend the event to others. Suggestions on decors, themes, activities and services for the improvement of the event were also noted from the survey results.
The annual Pasko sa Kapitolyo, as institutionalized by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ordinance No. 173-2019, aims to bring the Christmas spirit to the public through various attractions and shows.
“It’s good kasi libre, uray awan kwarta agenjoy ka. Feel na feel ko ang Christmas, magandang bonding with friends and family,” (“It’s good because it’s free, you get to enjoy even if you don’t have money. I can really feel the spirit of Christmas, it’s great to bond here with friends and family,”) said one of the visitors.
