BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Revelers attending this year’s Dinagyang are being urged to practice responsible waste disposal especially during the much-anticipated festival highlights on January 25 and 26.
“Please use the designated garbage areas, and vendors are reminded to provide their own garbage bins to properly manage their waste,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
January is being observed as Zero Waste Month.
The Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan contest will be held on January 25, to be followed by the Ati tribes competition the following day.
Treñas also urged revelers to be mindful of the city’s plants and greenery.
“Our gardeners work hard every day to ensure that Iloilo City remains beautiful and vibrant. Let us celebrate responsibly — please do not step on the plants or urinate indiscriminately,” he said.
To address sanitation concerns, “portalets” (portable toilets) have been placed at strategic locations across the city, especially near performance areas.
“Let us also recognize the tireless efforts of our street sweepers, who ensure that the festival areas are clean early in the morning while many are still asleep. Your dedication is truly commendable!” Treñas added.
The Dinagyang Festival is one of the most celebrated cultural events in the country, held every January in honor of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) and to commemorate the arrival of Malay settlers on Panay Island. It is widely recognized for its colorful street dances, pulsating drumbeats, and elaborate costumes, attracting both local and international visitors.
Treñas emphasized the importance of keeping Iloilo City clean and beautiful throughout the celebration, urging everyone to work together for a joyful and orderly festival.
“Let us make this year’s Dinagyang Festival not only a celebration of culture but also an expression of our commitment to keeping Iloilo City clean, safe, and orderly,” Treñas stressed.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO) has announced road closures to ensure public safety and facilitate the smooth conduct of the Dinagyang Festival events.
The major roads to be closed include the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue, or known as Diversion Road for Mandurriao to City Proper route from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on January 25 and 26.
The stretch of JM Basa Street (Calle Real) will also be closed throughout the parade and street performances.
The other major streets near festival areas that will be closed include Valeria, Delgado, Iznart, Ledesma (near judging areas), and Bonifacio Drive, which serves as access points to Freedom Grandstand.
In the Mandurriao area, the Megaworld Boulevard and adjacent streets near Festive Walk and Iloilo Business Park will also be closed.
E. Lopez Street and Tabuc Suba will also be closed during the fluvial procession and religious events.
Emergency lanes have been designated along Rizal streets in Lapuz and La Paz, General Luna, Jalandoni, Delgado, and De Leon streets to ensure quick access for emergencies.
The Coastal Road will serve as a main bypass for motorists traveling to and from northern towns.
Circumferential roads are recommended for those heading to Jaro, Mandurriao, or Molo.
Off-site parking areas are designated along Muelle Loney, Treñas Boulevard, and Libertad in Lapuz.
Designated drop-off and pick-up points will be established outside the closed zones, while jeepney routes may be temporarily rerouted.
Retired Police Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos, coordinating the festival’s traffic management, assured that measures are in place to address security concerns, including protocols for stampedes, bomb threats, and unattended baggage.
Residents and visitors are advised to follow official social media pages of TTMO for updates and detailed information on alternate routes./PN
