In a significant shift for the province’s premier cultural event, the Provincial Government of Palawan has officially handed the reins of the 2026 Baragatan Festival to the private sector. The Palawan Tourism Council (PTC) will lead this year’s festivities, marking the 124th Founding Anniversary of the Civil Government of Palawan. Governor Amy Roa Alvarez has tasked the council with a “tall order” to elevate the celebration, backed by a substantial working budget of P50 million.
Appointed as this year’s Festival Director, Kareeza Faith Atrero—widely known as “Tita Kim”—announced that the 2026 edition will see a scale-up in entertainment and incentives. According to Atrero, the council is adding larger events to the calendar, including major concerts featuring top-tier artists and increased prize pools for various competitions. While core traditional activities will remain a staple of the celebrations, sports events will be limited this year to ensure all programming aligns strictly with the festival’s cultural theme.
During the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony held last February 10, it was noted that the title “Baragatan sa Palawan Festival” is no longer being used in the official event name. However, Atrero clarified that they are still retaining the “Baragatan” name itself, with a new logo and brand identity currently being created to refresh the festival’s image.
For Rix Rafols, President of the Palawan Tourism Council, the event serves as a vital tourism activity for the province. The council envisions the festival as a way to draw visitors to experience the unique culture and heritage of Palawan. While specific target figures have not been finalized, the intent for 2026 is to attract a record number of visitors through these enhanced offerings.
The initial schedule sets the soft opening for June 9, followed by the grand opening on June 12. The festivities will run until the highlights on June 22. To accommodate the massive crowds expected for major productions and big-name stars, organizers plan to transform Rizal Avenue into a primary concert venue, providing a more spacious environment for the public to enjoy the 124th-anniversary celebrations.
