This year’s Paraw Regatta Festival, which was set to take place in Iloilo City from February 23 to March 1, was declared suspended due to ongoing concerns surrounding the 2019 new coronavirus. Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said the decision came following meetings with the Department of Health (DOH) and organizers, the Iloilo Festival Foundation Inc. (IFFI).
“Due to the consultation we had with DOH and IFFI, we had no choice but to suspend the celebration,” the mayor explained. “This is for everyone’s safety.”
However, the mayor said, if conditions improve, the event may still be held later.
“We could probably have it in March if the situation will be better in the next few days,” he said. “We will make the decision when the time comes.”
The annual event, which is considered the “old traditional craft event in Asia,” is set to celebrate its 48th year.
It is also the largest sailing event in the Philippines./WDJ