ILOILO City – Over 1,500 Christmas parols will brighten this city beginning Nov. 16.
Inspired by the goal of Mayor Jerry Treñas to “level up” the city, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Iloilo and Zonta Club of Iloilo City are spearheading this Christmas lantern project.
“We aim to inspire people and make them happy,” said Dr. Sandra Sarabia-Gomez, PCCI-Iloilo chairperson.
“Looking at the response of the citizens, we are so happy to work and fill the city with parols,” she added.
The official switch-on is on Nov. 16, 6 p.m. at city hall. Ilonggo senator Franklin Drilon will be the guest of honor.
Establishments are encouraged to sponsor parols (size, 6×6 at P1,500), said Sarabia-Gomez.
Their original target was only 1,000 parols but they were able to produce over 1,500 already due to strong private sector support.
“We started sending out our appeal to the private sector on Sept. 4. The support was overwhelming. By Sept. 15 we were able to put up the first 100 parols along the Diversion Road (Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue),” said PCCI Board of Directors’ Alma May Tayo.
The city government’s Task Force Boltahe is in charge of installing the parols.
Sarabia-Gomez said the project is benefitting the inmates of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Barangay Ungka, Jaro district. They have been tapped to make the parols.
“They say this project is a big help for them. When the response is more positive, the more I am happy,” she said.
The parol will be on display until January 2020 when Iloilo City welcomes guests for the Dinagyang Festival and the Chinese New Year celebration./PN
