ILOILO City – Both the Iloilo City Government and the Iloilo Provincial Government suspend work in most of their respective offices this Friday, January 23, and Monday, January 26, as authorities scale up preparations and personnel deployment for the Dinagyang Festival, underscoring the priority given to public safety, crowd management, and cultural participation during one of the region’s biggest celebration.
Mayor Raisa Treñas ordered the temporary suspension of work in Iloilo City government offices through Executive Order No. 004, series of 2026, signed on January 19, to allow city employees to take part in festival-related duties and religious and cultural activities honoring Señor Santo Niño.
The order cited the Local Government Code of 1991, which mandates local governments to promote public welfare and support activities that strengthen cultural heritage and community life.
“Work in the Iloilo City government will be suspended on Friday, January 23, and Monday, January 26, to allow employees to participate in and celebrate the Dinagyang Festival,” according to the executive order, which clarified that essential personnel are excluded to ensure uninterrupted delivery of vital services.
Offices providing health, disaster response, traffic management, and public safety services will remain operational throughout the festivities.
The city government also specified that offices handling business permit renewals and related transactions, including staff assigned to off-site business centers, are not covered by the suspension.
Heads of national government agencies operating in Iloilo City were urged to consider adopting similar measures, while private establishments were left to decide independently.
Separately, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. approved the suspension of work at Iloilo Provincial Government capitol-based offices, including the Iloilo Sports Development and Management Office, on the same dates to allow provincial employees to fully support and participate in Dinagyang events.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias issued Memorandum Order No. 21 on Thursday morning, January 22, addressed to all concerned provincial government personnel.
“In order to allow our employees to fully support, take part and enjoy the celebration of 2026 Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan and the Dinagyang Festival events this weekend, work at the Iloilo Provincial Government Capitol based offices and the Iloilo Sports Development and Management office is hereby suspended on Friday, January 23, 2026 and Monday, January 26, 2026,” the memorandum stated.
Defensor said the move was also intended to give employees time to rest amid heavy workloads tied to festival preparations.
“Para nga maghalog-halog sila. Bal-an mo kaluluoy sang mga empleyado, they are preparing for Dinagyang and we have many work also. They working double time,” the governor said.
He added that despite the suspension, he would still report to the capitol to attend to pressing matters.
He emphasized that while regular office operations are on hold, the continuity of essential public services will be strictly maintained./PN
