ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas appealed for everyone’s cooperation to make this year’s Dinagyang Festival thrash-free.
Disposing garbage properly, he stressed, “because it is not someone else’s responsibility to pick up your litter.”
“As your Local Chief Executive, together with the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), we will do our best to give you the kind of fun and festival you deserve. But I hope you will also help us in keeping our city clean,” said Treñas.
Keeping the city clean during Dinagyang is part of city government’s desire to “level up” everyone’s Dinagyang experience, he stressed.
The mayor said this year’s Dinagyang Festival will be the biggest and he cited the IFFI, the new group tasked to manage Dinagyang and other festivals of the city.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking. The festival started in 1967. A replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought from Cebu to the San Jose de Placer Church. The image was enthusiastically received by the Ilonggos who danced on the streets of Iloilo City.
Treñas said he is proud of the IFFI and its plans for this year.
“Makibot lag kita tanan kay kadamo sang ila plano para sa kalingawan sang mga Ilonggo sa ngalan sang aton patron, Señor Santo Niño,” said Treñas.
He also cited the cooperation of city government departments and the Iloilo City Police Office for maintaining peace and order.
“Ginapangayo ko gid ang kooperasyon sang tanan. Palihog lang, ang ini nga Dinagyang himuon ta nga pinakatawhay,” said Treñas./PN