LUBAO, Pampanga – Some thirty seven (37) hot air balloon teams from the USA, ASEAN and EUROPE participated in the annual Philippine International Balloon Festival last April 10-13, 2014 held in Lubao, Pampanga. As expected, the wind direction on the said dates brought all the balloons towards the Dinalupihan, Hermosa and Orani, Bataan areas. In anticipation of said occurrence the Provincial Government of Bataan thru the Provincial Tourism Office, Provincial Health Office, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Red Cross, PNP, Bureau of Fire and Protection, the 24th Infantry Batallion of the Army, REACT TEAM (Combat, Motocom and Sniper) together with the LGUs of Hermosa, Dinalupihan and Orani worked hand in hand to ensure the safety and security of the participants and spectators as well as assisted in monitoring the 100 chase crews riding in 4×4 vehicles as the balloons landed in the abovementioned municipalities in Bataan. Since Lubao is much nearer to Bataan, compared to Clark, more Bataenos witnessed said event and this early, they are already anticipating next year’s festival.
