ILOILO City – Authorities are imposing tight maritime controls on the Señor Sto. Niño fluvial parade set this afternoon, January 23, with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) strictly enforcing a “no ticket, no boarding” policy to prevent overcrowding and ensure security during one of the highlights of the Dinagyang Festival 2026.
The PCG will deploy 10 floating assets, including a 44-meter fast patrol boat and several fast vessels, to secure the fluvial route and manage the movement of participants.
Acting Coast Guard Station Iloilo commander Jan Terrazona said the deployment is intended to provide full maritime security throughout the religious procession.
“We are deploying both large and fast vessels to provide full maritime security coverage for the fluvial parade,” Terrazona said.
Only devotees with official tickets issued by the parish church will be allowed to board the participating vessels, according to Deputy Station Commander for Administration ENS El John Ga.
“The organizer from the parish church is the one issuing tickets, and these must be presented before boarding the modernized boats,” Ga said.
Ga stressed that private pump boats are barred from joining the parade, following coordination meetings aimed at maintaining the proper sequence of vessels and ensuring that all participating boats are accounted for by security forces.
He added that while coordination was conducted with local boat clubs and owners of speedboats and yachts, none were confirmed to participate.
“Only those who attended the meetings and were officially included are allowed to join, para indi maguba ang sequence sang parade kag klaro man sa amon security kun sin-o ang authorized,” he said.
Each modernized boat can carry around 60 passengers, but only 75 percent of seating capacity will be allowed for safety reasons. Authorities estimate that about 450 devotees will take part in the fluvial procession aboard authorized vessels.
The image of Señor Sto. Niño will be carried on the patrol boat BRP Kalanggaman, which will depart from the Iloilo Fishport Complex and sail toward Bundulan Point in Jordan, Guimaras.
Another patrol vessel, BRP Malapascua, will leave from Muelle Loney, with both boats scheduled to meet at Bundulan Point before sailing back together to Iloilo City via Muelle Loney.
Authorities appealed for public cooperation, emphasizing that the restrictions are meant to ensure a safe, orderly, and meaningful celebration of the Señor Sto. Niño fluvial parade./PN
