ILOILO — The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (RDRRMOC) of Western Visayas is on blue alert as authorities brace for large crowds expected during two major religious and cultural festivals this January.
The move aims to heighten coordination, monitoring, and rapid response to any emergencies that may arise before, during, and after the Ati-atihan Festival in Aklan and the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City, both of which traditionally draw massive numbers of local and visiting spectators.
On Monday, January 12, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) chairperson Raul Fernandez issued Memorandum No. 3, Series of 2026, ordering the elevation of the RDRRMOC alert status to blue in anticipation of the twin festivals.
“In honor of the Feast of Sr. Sto. Niño, the Province of Aklan and Iloilo City will hold the annual Ati-atihan and Dinagyang Festivals respectively this January. These festivals constitute high-density population gathering which will draw number of people from all over the country,” Fernandez said in the memorandum.
Fernandez explained that the alert status was raised to ensure tighter coordination for response operations and continuous monitoring of possible incidents related to crowd movement, public safety, health concerns, and weather disturbances.
The blue alert status will be in effect on the following dates:
* Ati-atihan Festival – January 13 to 19, 2026
* Dinagyang Festival – January 23 to 26, 2026
Under the alert, concerned RDRRMC member-agencies and local disaster risk reduction and management councils (LDRRMCs) were directed to maintain heightened vigilance, continue monitoring activities, and regularly submit preparedness measures and situation updates to the RDRRMOC./PN
