ILOILO City – No economic activities will be allowed at Jaro plaza during the Jaro district fiesta on Feb. 2.
Jeck Conlu, head of the city government’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), reiterated the pronouncement of Mayor Jerry Treñas that Jaro plaza is off-limits to ferias, ukay-ukay and other non-food items, food kiosks and the like.
Jaro plaza is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
“Indi pag–i-allow ang pagbutang sang ano man nga structures sa palibot sang plaza,” said Conlu.
He also said they are finalizing the traffic rerouting plan for Saturday’s (Jan. 28) religious procession ahead of the feast of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles).
“Wala dalagku nga activities except sa Saturday. May (religious) parade,” said Conlu.
On fiesta day, Feb. 2, Conlu said there will be no traffic rerouting. But the PSTMO will deploy personnel to manage foot and vehicular traffic especially in critical areas surrounding Jaro plaza.
“Since wala na sang mga stalls or ano man na nga activities sa Jaro plaza, mas halog-halog na ang aton dalan,” said Conlu.
He said the police force and other force multipliers will be joining the PSTMO in monitoring the activities.
Every year, thousands of devotees from across Western Visayas and other regions visit the image of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, crowned by Pope John Paul II during a papal visit in 1981.
For the past two years because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Jaro fiesta celebration was muted.
With pandemic restrictions being eased this year, more devotees are expected to show up./PN
