ILOILO City – The 2026 celebration of the Dinagyang Festival concluded without major security or safety incidents, despite large crowds flocking to key venues across the city, according to a final report from the Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
On January 25 alone, authorities deployed 3,887 personnel and 347 vehicles for security, traffic management, medical response, fire safety, and disaster preparedness. The operation covered activities from morning until late night, extending into January 26 for post-event monitoring.
Police reported moderate to heavy foot traffic at major events, including the Dinagyang Awarding Ceremony at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, which drew an estimated 26,000 people. Food festival venues across the city recorded crowds ranging from 21,500 to 35,000, while concerts and evening activities added to the turnout.
Despite the volume of festivalgoers, no major incidents were recorded. Emergency responders attended to 24 patients, mostly for heat exhaustion, dizziness, fainting, and other minor conditions. All cases were immediately treated or referred to nearby hospitals.
To ensure public safety, the city raised its emergency status to Blue Alert, enabling 24/7 monitoring of incidents, weather conditions, and CCTV feeds. Police assistance desks, mobile patrols, traffic rerouting, and maritime patrols along the Iloilo River were also implemented.
City officials credited the peaceful outcome to strong coordination among police, health units, fire and rescue teams, volunteers, and partner agencies. Clean-up, sanitation, and electrical safety checks were conducted alongside enforcement of local ordinances./PN
