ILOILO City – To manage festival-related congestion and safeguard students during one of the city’s biggest celebrations, the Iloilo City government has ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes at all levels on January 23 and January 26.
The directive, contained in Executive Order No. 007, Series of 2026, was signed on January 21 by Mayor Raisa Treñas. It applies to both public and private schools, from preschool to senior high school, across the city.
City Hall said the temporary halt in in-person classes is tied to the conduct of the Dinagyang Festival 2026, which is expected to draw massive crowds and require extensive road closures. Several school campuses will also be used as temporary billeting areas for contingents joining the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan and Dinagyang Ilomination competitions.
The executive order cited requests from the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. to allow schools to host festival participants from January 21 to 26, as well as guidance from the Department of Education–Division of Iloilo City for schools to shift to alternative learning arrangements on the specified dates.
Traffic concerns also factored into the decision. The city’s Traffic and Transportation Management Office earlier recommended the suspension of in-person classes on January 23 due to the closure of major roads and thoroughfares for festival activities.
Instead of physical classes, school administrators were directed to adopt alternative delivery modes of instruction, such as online or modular learning, during the two-day suspension.
City officials said the move aims to ensure public safety, reduce mobility during peak festival days, and give students and educators adequate time to rest following the Dinagyang celebrations. The order took effect immediately./PN
