The local government unit (LGU) here on Monday said the municipality welcomed more than 10,000 visitors from Metro Manila, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, and nearby towns, who took part in the town fiesta celebration.

The local chief executive claimed that the seamless management of numerous pre-fiesta and fiesta events, coupled with a sudden surge in recreational and religious tourists, marked a major coup for the LGU.

In an interview, Mayor Alexander Magpantay said the Cuenca Municipal Police Station, Traffic Management Group, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office were in a high state of readiness day long for guests and townsfolk who may need assistance.

“We effectively planned the ambulance mobilization and first-aid response to accommodate the needs of everyone. We also worked in extended hours to ensure that everything will run smoothly,” he added.

“The fun and excitement of the festival is truly unique this year. First, because of the successful partnership of the local government, through our tourism office and the private sector. And secondly, because our church was declared an archdiocese just recently.”

The Parish of San Isidro Labrador, declared an Archdiocesan Shrine on May 4, saw an influx of religious tourists on top of the usual holiday revelers.

There are 101 villages all over Batangas that actively commemorated the feast day of the patron saint of farmers.

Cuenca served as the center of the religious observance, kicked off by a concelebrated morning mass led by Lipa Archbishop Most. Rev. Gilbert Garcera. (PNA)