CABADBARAN CITY, Philippines – Tourists and “Balikbayans” from around the world started arriving in this city to actively participate in the “2012 Dagkot (lighted) Festival” slated on Wednesday and Thursday.

The much-awaited activity organized by the city government is in line with the fiesta celebration of “Nuestra Señora Candelaria.”

One of the programs lined up is the “Balik Cabadbaran” night where families, relatives, friends, and officials here will gather at the social hall of the People’s Government Center in this city.

This is one occasion where Balikbayans and tourists can all gather and bond with one another while at the same time enjoy the various surprises prepared by the city government.

There will also be professional dance instructors who will dance with the Balikbayans and Cabadbaranons spearheaded by City Mayor Dale B. Corvera, and the rest of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) members.

Additional highlight to the annual event is the presentation of the Cabadbaran City Time Capsule that will be opened after 100 years.

This is one undertaking that will be done on the 5th Charter Day Celebration of the city on July 28, 2012.

Other programs lined up are the drum and lyre competition, Musikainan 2012, practical shooting competition, soccer football tournament, Miss Cabadbaran 2012 Coronation Night, street party, and 2012 Dagkot Grand Showdown and Street Dancing Competition.

“We will go merry-making to our Dagkot Festival 2012 to our beloved Cabadbaran City. Viva Nuestra Señora of Candelaria, said Corvera in the vernacular.

The city chief executive added that Cabadbaranons are also ready to entertain guests coming from the various places in Northeastern Mindanao.

The officials of the provincial government of Agusan del Norte is fully supporting the activities of the city government of Cabadbaran, in line with their fiesta celebration, it was learned.

In another development, the anti-poverty alleviation program of the government continues to benefit far-flung communities in the Caraga Region, and this time, a Surigao del Sur town will also be benefited.

At least six Self-Employment Assistance sa Kaunlaran (SEA-K) associations consisting of 115 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Lingig town are set to receive capital assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga Region Field Office.

The SEA-K is under the Sustainable Livelihood Program/Self-employment Assistance sa Kaunlaran being implemented by the DSWD.

To be spearheaded by DSWD Region-13 Director Mercedita Jabagat, the turnover of a check is scheduled next week at the municipal gymnasium in the far-flung municipality of Lingig.

Top provincial officials are expected to attend the turnover of the capital assistance to the household beneficiaries.

Both Surigao del Sur 2nd District Representative Florencio Garay and Lingig Mayor Henry Dano, along with some local government officials, will witness the occasion.

Meanwhile, a big number of runners participated in the “Takbong Maharlika, Tungo sa Pagkakaisa” that started at the Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol Ground here on Monday.

Before the run took place, top provincial and city officials and other line agencies of the government, including representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP) national headquarters and religious groups from the Diocese of Butuan participated in a short program.

The event was spearheaded by the command of the Police Regional Office-13.