Mayor says to expect ‘surprises’ as

highlights commence this weekend

With the Dinagyang Festival highlights set to commence this weekend, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said revelers are in for a surprise.
“We will be pleasantly surprised,” he said. “The Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) has lined up a lot of exciting activities.”
The main event this weekend will be the Dinagyang 360° ati tribes contest.
Participants this year will include Tribu Panayanon of Iloilo City National High School, Tribu Baybayanon of Melchor L. Nava National High School, Tribu Ilonganon – Jalandoni National High School, Tribu Salognon – Jaro National High School, Tribu Hugponganon – Tiu Cho Teg-Ana Ros Foundation Integrated School, Tribu Baryohanon – Bo. Obrero National High School, Tribu Paghidaet – La Paz National High School, and Tribu Dagatnon – Ramon Avanceña Memorial National High School.
Earlier this month, the mayor requested the public’s cooperation in maintaining a “trash-free” Dinagyang Festival. He called on city residents to be responsible, stating, “It is not someone else’s responsibility to pick up your litter.”
“As your local chief executive, together with the IFFI, we will do our best to give you the kind of fun festival you deserve but I hope that you also help us in keeping our city clean, especially during the Dinagyang events,” the mayor said.
With the focus on cleanliness, it was recently reported, the city government will be installing  62 portable toilets, along with trash bins, across the city.
In addition, “green guards,” will be on duty watching over streets, parks, and plazas. These individuals serve as sanitation officers and are authorized to apprehend offenders and issue citations.
Meanwhile, it was also announced classes on all levels at both public and private schools will be suspended the day after the Dinagyang Festival, Monday, January 27, in order for the city to conduct cleaning operations./WDJ