Hot Air Balloon Update! Statement from PIHABF
Photo taken from PIHABF Facebook page
The organizers of the longest running
balloon event in Asia – the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
(PIHABF): “A Weekend of Everything that Flies,” maintains its decision not to
hold the 19th PIHABF this year, but instead, prepare for a bigger event
scheduled for February 12-15, 2015.
Amidst reports of a balloon event taking
place in Clark, Pampanga in April 2014, spearheaded by Mr. Ronnie Tiotuico of
the Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Office, the PIHABF Organizing
Committee has issued the following statement:
Preparation for the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
is a major undertaking.
The decision not to hold a Fiesta this year
was not undertaken lightly. From the perspective of the PIHABF organizers, our
2013 event (featuring more balloons than ever, the highly impressive Breilting
Jet Acrobatic Team, and the myriad of other flying, ground and static events)
would be a hard act to follow without allowing sufficient time to plan, prepare
and book new and interesting activities.
We believe that by suspending the 2014 Hot
Air Balloon Fiesta, allowing our organizing committee more time to secure a
suitable venue for the fiesta and investing more time in planning, securing
sponsorships and implementing enhancements, we can offer our public spectators
a truly safe and world-class event in 2015.
PIHABF will not be part of the April 2014
event in Clark, Pampanga. We will not participate in the planning, organization
or staging of the event. We disclaim any association with the organization or
management of the said event.
We hope that the organizers of the April
2014 event, headed by Mr. Ronnie Tiotuico, have carefully looked into the many
safety requirements and issues involved in staging an event of this scale.
PIHABF is concerned that the length of time allocated for them to learn the
processes and preparations for this kind of activity is too short. We hope they
are not misrepresenting their expertise in implementing an airshow to
prospective sponsors, participants and especially the Civil Aviation Authority
of the Philippines (CAAP).
The PIHABF organizers have worked hard to
develop operational and safety procedures. With an admirable safety
record, we have built trust with event participants and other valued
partners. We value this reputation, built on a foundation of 20 years of
experience.
We recognize that the balloon fiesta is an
activity that the international aviation community looks forward to. Any
untoward incident would impact on the good name of PIHABF organizers and damage
the reputation of the Philippines.
We assure the public that we are already
working hard on the planning and preparation for a bigger and even better 19th
Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in 2015. We are excited
for everyone to be a part of it.
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