ILOILO City – In a post-Dinagyang review aimed at easing the burden on small entrepreneurs, the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) is studying possible rental fee reductions for food kiosks at future Dinagyang Food Festivals, including the option of city-backed subsidies, following feedback from vendors during the 2026 celebration.
IFFI chairman Judgee Peña said the foundation has begun exploring measures to make kiosk rentals more affordable without sacrificing order, safety, and overall festival quality.
He confirmed that the matter has already been discussed with Mayor Raisa Treñas, particularly the possibility of city support to help offset rising costs.
“We understand the concerns of our food vendors, especially small entrepreneurs,” Peña said. “We are studying ways to bring down the rental rates without compromising the order, safety, and overall quality of the Dinagyang Food Festival. One of the options we are looking at is subsidy support, in coordination with the city government.”
Peña explained that kiosk rental fees rose by about P1,000 this year due to the limited number of stalls allowed, a policy intended to prevent overcrowding, improve pedestrian flow, and enhance crowd control in key festival areas.
This year also marked the first time IFFI partnered with the Iloilo Hotels, Restaurants, and Resorts Association (IHRRA), which managed the entire Dinagyang Food Festival along Delgado–Valeria streets. Peña credited the partnership for the smoother and more organized operations of the food festival.
“If we can reduce the rental fees, this can also help lower the prices of food and drinks being sold to the public,” Peña said. “That benefits both the vendors and the festivalgoers, which is really our goal.”
Despite concerns over rental costs, Peña described the 2026 Dinagyang Food Festival as a success, citing better organization, improved waste management, and strong public patronage, with many kiosks reportedly running out of stocks early.
“We saw big improvements this year in terms of cleanliness, waste disposal, and overall management,” Peña said. “But we are not stopping there. We will continue to improve the food festival year after year, taking into account the experiences and suggestions of our partners, vendors, and the public.”
IFFI said discussions on possible adjustments to kiosk rentals and other operational reforms will be part of early planning for the next Dinagyang celebration./PN
