Thousands of locals and tourists are expected to take part in several activities set in the final week of the celebration of this year’s Dinagyang Festival.
Mayor Jerry Treñas claimed that the 52nd Dinagyang is the “biggest” edition of the festival.
He said activities lined up for the festival have been upgraded to make them more “engaging” and “exciting”.
Major Dinagyang-activities include, among others, the Miss Iloilo 2020 Coronation Night on Jan. 23, Float Parade of Lights on Jan. 24, Dagyang sa Calle Real on Jan. 25, and Dinagyang 360° Tribe Competition on Jan. 26.
The staging of Dinagyang this year is being handled by the newly formed Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI).
To ensure the peaceful and orderly celebration of the festival, the Iloilo City Police Office (IPPO) will be deploying more than four thousand police personnel and force multipliers.
Lt. Mercylin S. Duero, deputy chief for operations of ICPO, said they created Task Group Dinagyang to secure the safety of revelers.
The task force will strictly enforce security measures and the existing city ordinances, which prohibit smoking, vaping, littering and vandalism, among others.
If it’s your first time to attend the festival this year, here are some of the things that you should remember:
No backpacks
Backpacks of all sizes, glass bottles and all bladed and pointed objects are not allowed inside venues of Dinagyang activities.
6-day gun ban
The six-day gun ban will be in effect from Jan. 22 to 27.
Signal shutdown
Last week, the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved a resolution recommending a signal shutdown during the highlight of the festival on Jan. 26.
No unauthorized drones
Only drones authorized by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will be allowed to fly.
Several streets closed
Several streets in the City Proper will be closed to public utility jeepneys (PUJs) from Jan. 24 to 26.
Meanwhile, in support of the goal of zero major crime incident during Dinagyang, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) strengtened security at the borders of the city and Iloilo province.
Police Colonel Roland Vilela, IPPO head, said he ordered all station chiefs to intensify their checkpoint and chokepoint operations.IMT
