ILOILO – An emergency medical unit will be set up at the Dinagyang Festival judging area No. 2 at the Casa Real de Iloilo area for the highlights on Jan. 21 and 22.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), will serve as deputy incident commander and oversee the action and medical plan.
The emergency medical unit will be managed by the IPHO together with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), headed by Dr. Jerry Bionat as team leader.
To help manage the emergency medical unit are personnel from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Iloilo chapter, Provincial Clinic Office and selected district hospitals, and volunteers and responders from different towns, such as Dueñas.
“We are ready. May mga doctors nga ibutang sa vicinity and we have ambulances just in case. Tani ma-avoid, as much as possible, ang aton public ma-heat stroke or ma-injure,” she said.
Colmenares-Quiñon went on to remind the public to stay hydrated with water or an energy drink.
The Iloilo provincial government and Provincial Engineering Office set a seating capacity of more than 600 for judging area No. 2.
The Iloilo City government entrusted the provincial capitol the management of judging area No. 2 accommodate guests of the provincial government.
The other three judging areas for the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan and Dagyang sa Barangay tribes competition are the Freedom Grandstand, Quezon Street and Mapa Street.
For the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan on Jan. 21, eight tribes will be competing: Tribu Jalaud from Calinog, Iloilo; Tribu Miniluan from Talisay City, Negros Occidental; Tribu Tiringbanay from San Jose de Buenavista, Antique; Guban Manughaw-as from Dumangas, Iloilo; Sipalay Burangoy Kite Festival from Sipalay City, Negros Occidental; Tribu Saludan from Tigbauan, Iloilo; Tribu Madia-as from Culasi, Antique; and Pasalamat Festival from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.
Seven tribes representing the seven city districts will join the Dinagyang Ilomination also on the same day, and these are: Arevalo, City Proper, Jaro, La Paz, Lapuz, Mandurriao, and Molo.
Meanwhile, eight tribes will compete during the Dagyang sa Barangay tribes competition on Jan. 22. These are Sagasa, Ilonggohanon, Sagrada Familia, Molave kang Salog, Kanyaw sang Baybayanon, Parianon, Halimaw, and Pana-ad./PN
