City back to normal after Dinagyang fest

EVERYTHING is back to normal, including in the City Government services, business sector, and barangays in Iloilo City, after weeklong activities of the Dinagyang Festival this year.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the festival showcased to the world the rich cultural heritage and tourism potentials of Iloilo City, as more than 1.5 million individuals, including foreign tourists, have witnessed, danced and enjoyed the premier festival of the country.

He said what remains are the more than 200 metric tons (MT) of garbage along the 3.2-kilometer parade route within the city proper.

However, the garbage were immediately disposed by the office of public service (OPS) right after the last Dinagyang musical notes and drum beats on Sunday evening, January 27, until the early morning of Monday, January 28.

There were four performance areas and stages for the Dinagyang parade, and garbage along the parade routes were seen despite notices to street stalls to provide their own garbage receptacle.

Mabilog said he is happy with the quick response of the OPS and volunteers who immediately clean the garbage and deodorize the streets.

The city’s regular garbage collection is estimated at 170 MT per day and delivered at the Calajunan dumpsite in Mandurriao district.

Garbage deliveries collected from January 25 to January 27 ranges from 40 truckloads every day, on top of the regular garbage collected from city public markets, streets outside of the Dinagyang parade and barangay residences. (Lydia C. Pendon)