ILOILO City — With the Dinagyang Festival expected to draw massive crowds this weekend, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Western Visayas has issued a call for spectators — both locals and tourists — to strictly observe proper waste disposal, warning that poor discipline could again result in tons of garbage piling up across festival zones.
The agency stressed that while Dinagyang is a major cultural and religious celebration for Ilonggos, environmental cleanliness must not be neglected amid the festivities.
DENR specifically urged festivalgoers to dispose of trash only in designated bins placed around the city, particularly along major roads and judging areas, and to ensure proper segregation of biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclable waste.
According to the agency, proper segregation not only speeds up garbage collection but also helps reduce the volume of waste transported to sanitary landfills.
DENR also reminded the public to avoid single-use plastics and, whenever possible, bring reusable water bottles and eco-bags when buying food or souvenirs.
“Ang Dinagyang selebrasyon nga bukas sa tanan; gani, himuon naton ini nga eco-friendly and green paagi sa pagpakita sang disiplina sa aton basura. Dumdumon naton nga ang katinlo sang probinsya kag siyudad sang Iloilo amo ang salamin sang aton pagka-Ilonggo,” the agency added.
During the Dinagyang Festival 2025, DENR said tons of garbage were collected after the three-day highlight events, underscoring recurring concerns over waste management during large gatherings.
In a seeming preview of the garbage problem this Dinagyang, the Iloilo City Government’s General Services Office (GSO) early this week bared that garbage littered major festival venues after the Dinagyang tribes’ nightly “blocking” (rehearsal) activities. It thus renewed its call for discipline among spectators, warning that continued littering undermines sanitation efforts and Iloilo City’s image as a premier festival destination.
The GSO said trash accumulated around the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand and nearby roads despite the availability of waste bins and sanitation facilities, prompting officials to urge festivalgoers to take responsibility for their own waste.
Neil Ravena, GSO head, said garbage was scattered around key areas following the tribe and Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan blocking activities.
“We are once again appealing to our viewers to please throw their trash in the proper waste bins,” Ravena said. “There are trash bins placed around the judging areas and along the roads. We hope people will use them.”
Ravena emphasized that cleanliness during Dinagyang is a shared responsibility between the city government and the public, especially with thousands of spectators converging on viewing areas.
“We are doing our part by providing trash bins and facilities,” he said. “We are hoping that viewers will also do their part by being disciplined and mindful of their waste.”
He added that keeping the city clean during major events reflects well on Iloilo City, particularly for local and foreign visitors attending its flagship festivals.
The city government is mobilizing 327 street sweepers and six garbage trucks, and will be making available over 100 garbage bins, 80 portable toilets, and water tankers to keep festival venues clean and orderly.
The GSO expects a sharp rise in festival waste volume compared to last year’s 260 tons.
“This year, we are projecting an additional 40 to 60 tons, so we are looking at close to 300 tons of garbage overall,” Ravena said.
Ravena noted that even during the opening salvo early this month, two truckloads of garbage were already collected from the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.
Despite the pressure on the city’s sanitary landfill, Ravena assured the public that sustainability measures are in place, including full operation of the city’s materials recovery facility (MRF).
“We will operate our materials recovery facility. My instruction is that all plastics recovered from Dinagyang will be brought to our MRF,” he said./PN
