El Nido and Balabac were named champions in this year’s Float Parade Competition during the opening of the Baragatan sa Palawan Festival held Friday, June 13, in Puerto Princesa City.
El Nido topped the mainland category and received ₱400,000, while Balabac led the island category and also took home ₱400,000. Both floats stood out for their creative use of indigenous and biodegradable materials to showcase local culture and products.
Narra placed second in the mainland category and was awarded ₱300,000, followed by San Vicente in third place with ₱200,000. In the island category, Busuanga finished second and received ₱300,000, while Araceli came in third and got ₱200,000.
Sofronio Española, Taytay, Kalayaan, and Coron also joined the competition and were given ₱100,000 each as consolation prizes.
The float parade kicked off the Baragatan Festival, which marks the 123rd anniversary of the Palawan Civil Government. The parade route stretched from Rizal Avenue to Rizal Avenue Extension.
The float competition is one of the highlights of the festival, which brings together towns from across the province in a celebration of Palawan’s culture and heritage.
In his remarks, Governor Dennis Socrates, in his speech during the grand opening of the Baragatan sa Palawan Festival 2025, reminded residents that the event is more than just a celebration of culture and festivities.
He said Baragatan is a convergence that is rooted in the commemoration of the founding of the civil government of Palawan, and its goal is to bring together friends, families, relatives, wherever they are across the globe.
“[This] is a celebration of our identity as a community… a people with our own destiny, our own identity, a unique history, and our own culture and traditions,” he said.
“We are a community because we share unity as Palaweños,” he added.
