ILOILO City – A “food expo” that attracted hordes of people at a commercial area in Mandurriao district on Jan. 23 was not in their official list of Dinagyang Festival events, stressed the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI).
IFFI issued the statement in the heels of criticism that such an event encouraged large gatherings that the national government is prohibiting due to the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic.
On Sunday night, Mayor Jerry Treñas ordered the food expo stopped.
“I am very sorry. I was not aware. As soon as my attention was called on the gathering, I immediately ordered the dispersal of the people,” he said.
According to Treñas, “We still cannot allow a gathering of any kind. Please understand that we are on the brink of being placed under Alert Level 4. I am hoping it will not happen and I am doing everything to prevent it.”
Prior to the staging of the food expo, according to the IFFI, it held meetings with various Dinagyang side events organizers and made sure they have security plans and measures to ensure that public health safety protocols are observed.
“However, last (Jan. 23) night due to the influx of people, the Iloilo City government and the Foundation requested the (food expo) management to immediately close the area…(and t)hey immediately complied,” according to the IFFI./PN
