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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Thursday, October 26, 2017
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ILOILO City – Youngsters practicing at night for the Dinagyang Festival tribes competition are exempted from the curfew ordinance, according to City Administrator Hernando Galvez.
The exemption was contained in Section 13 of the ordinance, he said.
The section stated: “All heads of private and public schools within the city shall be directed to properly disseminate the curfew hours to their minor students and to enjoin them to strictly observe the provisions of this ordinance. They shall also be required to properly coordinate with the appropriate police precinct regarding their schedules or activities during curfew hours.”
The curfew hours were from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. as stated in Regulation Ordinance No. 2016-230 that amended Ordinance No. 2011-676 (An Ordinance Amending the Provisions of Regulation Ordinance No. 2006-020 or the Comprehensive Ordinance Prohibiting Minors to Wander, Saunter or Loiter in Any Place).
“Seguro ang nalimtan lang obrahon ang duties sang aton mga principals as tribe managers nga supposedly to coordinate with chiefs of police naton,” said Galvez.
On Tuesday, Acting Mayor Jose Espinosa III had a meeting with officials of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), schools and Task Force on Morals and Values Formation regarding the curfew vis-a-vis the Dinagyang tribes’ rehearsals. The ICPO wanted the rehearsals to end by 10 p.m.
Galvez said an executive order would soon be issued to serve as guide for the orderly practice of minors participating in the Dinagyang Festival this January 2018.
“Para ma-avoid ang confusion kag labaw sa tanan, mapaseguro nga hilway sa mga peligro ang aton mga kabtaan,” said Galvez.
He also said the curfew ordinance was specific in the acts it was prohibiting – wandering, sauntering or loitering.
“So basically, kon naga-practice ka, indi ka madala sa tatlo ka termino, indi ka covered sini nga ordinansa albeit Section 13 nagamando sa mga principals or heads of schools to coordinate with the chiefs of police,” said Galvez.
Under the curfew ordinance, minors (those below 18 years old) are prohibited from wandering, sauntering or loitering beyond 10 p.m. in restaurants, nightclubs, motels, dancehalls, amusement places such as Internet cafes, video arcades, karaoke bars, billiard halls, beach resorts and other similar establishments.
Also under the curfew ordinance, minors are prohibited from selling or vending whatever items (including food and beverages) even with their parents or guardians around, and its shall be unlawful for business establishments to admit minors within their premises during curfew hours.
The highlights of the Dinagyang Festival 2018 are on Jan. 27 (Kasadyahan competition) and 28 (ati tribes competition). Ten 10 tribes are seeing action in the ati competition.
Dinagyang is Iloilo City’s version of the Ati-atihan celebrations widely observed not only in Panay Island but also in other parts of the country. It may not be as ancient as the one in Kalibo, Aklan but it is known more for the participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect the ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry of the Ilonggos.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking. The festival started in 1967 when a replica of the image of the Sto. Niño (Child Jesus) was brought from Cebu to the San Jose parish.
The image, accompanied by devotees from Cebu, was enthusiastically received by the Ilonggos who danced on the streets of the city to the tune of rumbling drums./PN
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