Tourism office to hold Christmas feria at Jaro

ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog issued recently an executive order designating the tourism office as head for the Christmas Feria celebration at a public plaza in Jaro district.

Mabilog said no barangay in Iloilo can claim for the Christmas activities at the plaza except the City Government.

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He said Barangay Benedicto in Jaro district, headed by its captain Abelardo Salting, has been conducting the feria for several years with carnival rides, games, food stalls, variety shows, stage performances and Christmas stores selling Christmas decors and firecrackers.

However, no accounting or proceeds report has been made on the feria's outcome for the last five years.

"With the city tourism office at the helm of activities, the city might earn an income from the feria," Mabilog said.

Aside from Barangay Benedicto, other nearby villages surrounding the Jaro Plaza -- Barangay Democracia, Ma. Cristina, Fajardo, Simon Ledesma and Seminario -- are also interested in holding the feria during December.

But Mabilog said to avoid conflict with other barangays, the Christmas activities at the Jaro Plaza will be conducted by the city tourism office under his direct supervision and control for the whole month of December this year.

The city tourism office is headed by Benito Jimena. (LCP)