ILOILO City – The city government and the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) have rejected any telecommunications shutdown during the Dinagyang Festival, effectively scrapping a Philippine National Police (PNP)-approved plan to implement phone signal jamming as part of security preparations.
While acting PNP chief Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. had earlier approved the Iloilo City Police Office’s (ICPO) request for signal jamming, city officials clarified that the plan was never final and remained conditional on the availability of signal-jamming equipment from either the National Telecommunications Commission or Police Regional Office 6 — equipment that is currently unavailable.
Even more decisive, Mayor Raisa Treñas and IFFI jointly agreed not to allow any form of network shutdown during the festival highlights, citing the serious inconvenience it would cause to residents, businesses, and visitors.
“We want Dinagyang to be safe, but we also want it to be convenient and accessible,” Treñas said. “We do not want a situation where people cannot communicate with their families, access emergency services, or conduct basic transactions because there is no signal — not only in the city but even in neighboring areas.”
The mayor recalled that previous signal shutdowns disrupted communications beyond Iloilo City, affecting nearby towns and even Guimaras province, prompting complaints and operational difficulties.
She stressed that public safety measures should not come at the expense of connectivity during one of the country’s largest cultural events, which draws thousands of local and foreign tourists.
IFFI backed the city’s position, emphasizing that security must be effective without being overly disruptive. Instead of signal jamming, festival organizers and the city government are pushing for intensified on-the-ground security.
“In coordination with the police, we are requesting stronger ground security, more checkpoints, and increased police visibility rather than a signal shutdown,” Treñas added. “We believe this approach will better ensure public safety without causing unnecessary inconvenience.”
Earlier, officials of Police Regional Office 6, led by Regional Director Josefino Ligan, met with Mayor Treñas to discuss Dinagyang 2026 security preparations, including the now-rejected signal-jamming proposal. The meeting was attended by senior police officials and outgoing ICPO Director Police Colonel Kim Legada.
The PNP has assured the public that full security coverage will be in place throughout the Dinagyang Festival, with maximum deployment of personnel and force multipliers to maintain peace and order during the celebration./PN
