GenSan cancels Kalilangan fest due to nCoV fears

General Santos City has canceled its annual Kalilangan festival for this year due to the threat of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV ARD).

The decision was made following directives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Health (DOH) advising local government units to cancel events that attract large crowds.

Mayor Ronnel Rivera recommended the cancellation, emphasizing the health and safety of residents and visitors as the primary consideration.

Despite the cancellation of festival activities, a wreath-laying ceremony will still be held on February 27 as the highlight of the city's 81st charter anniversary celebration.

As of Tuesday, February 11, 2020, the City Health Office reiterated that there were no confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in the city, though one person under investigation and nine others were being monitored in the region.