ILOILO City – Authorities have imposed a near-total ban on drone operations during the Dinagyang Festival, warning that any unauthorized aerial activity will be treated as a security threat and may result in immediate confiscation of equipment.
The city government’s Public Order and Safety Management Office (POSMO) chief of operations Cyril Octavio said drones pose serious risks during large-scale and high-profile gatherings, prompting authorities to strictly limit their use throughout the festival.
Drones, formally known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are remotely controlled or automated flying devices commonly equipped with cameras capable of capturing high-resolution photos and videos from the air. In recent years, drones have become increasingly popular among hobbyists, vloggers, media organizations, and event organizers for aerial documentation and content creation.
However, authorities warned that drones can also be misused, particularly in crowded public events, as they are capable of conducting unauthorized surveillance, intruding into restricted airspace, or causing physical harm if they malfunction or crash. Security officials said uncontrolled drone flights pose risks not only to public safety but also to performers, emergency responders, and critical festival operations.
“Drones should really be restricted because our activities are very vital,” Octavio said. “The use of drones will be limited. There is already an issue that drones are absolutely not allowed unless a permit is secured from POSMO. Considering that drones pose a security threat, we really need to limit their use.”
Octavio stressed that only drones officially authorized by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI), main organizer of Dinagyang, will be permitted to fly during festival activities.
“The only ones allowed to use drones are those authorized by IFFI. Other than that, it is strictly prohibited,” he said.
POSMO personnel, he added, will actively monitor the skies during Dinagyang events and immediately check any drone spotted in the area.
“Yes, we will check,” Octavio said. “For now, we are holding other permits. The priority will only be given to IFFI, since they are organizing the Dinagyang Festival.”
Octavio warned that unauthorized drones could be used for surveillance or personal gain, potentially endangering public safety.
“Any drone flying without authority is already a threat to our activities. It could be used for surveillance or for personal purposes. That’s why we continuously patrol, because we can also record who is operating the drone and immediately check on it,” he said.
He admitted, however, that locating drone operators remains a challenge.
“Our problem is how to identify where the operator is, especially since the drone can be flown from any area. That’s our challenge,” Octavio said. “But at least if we see a drone flying and it is not among those we identified and authorized, then that is already illegal because it has no permit.”
Octavio confirmed that, as of now, only IFFI has been granted clearance to operate drones for Dinagyang-related activities.
“No one else has been recorded to have a permit. Only IFFI,” he said.
Meanwhile, POSMO head Uldarico Garbanzos said all drone users — including media practitioners, vloggers, and side-event organizers — are required to undergo accreditation and secure proper permits before any drone operation.
“All accredited drones used by the media, bloggers, and even side-event organizers must be accredited,” Garbanzos said. “That is our instruction. If there is no accreditation, they are not allowed to fly drones.”
Garbanzos explained that drone clearance involves multiple layers of approval.
“First, they must secure an endorsement from IFFI because they have to be recognized by IFFI,” he said. “Second, they should be recognized by the Public Information Office, and third, they must be accredited as part of the broadcasting or tri-media sector.”
Addressing drone videos posted online during the Opening Salvo, Garbanzos clarified that those flights were covered by official permits.
“Yes, they had permits,” he said. “I personally signed the clearances for drones used during the Opening Salvo, including Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan. There were lists of drone operators who were granted clearance.”
Garbanzos issued a stern warning to drone owners planning to fly during Dinagyang.
“What we are implementing, together with the Sub-Site Task Group Dinagyang security operations here in Iloilo City, is that drone owners must register and be accredited by IFFI,” he said. “They must also go through the SSTG Dinagyang process, and the ICPO should be informed because we provide them with a list of applicants.”
Those who violate the directive, he said, will face swift action.
“If we find out that they did not apply, they might end up embarrassed because we will confiscate the drone and stop its operation,” Garbanzos said.
Authorities said the strict drone restrictions form part of heightened security measures aimed at ensuring the safety of performers, spectators, and the general public during Dinagyang Festival 2026./PN
