It looks like a scene before the COVID-19 hit the world two years ago.
Streets, malls, and establishments in Iloilo City are once again alive as Ilonggo families scrambled to buy gifts and Noche Buena products for Christmas.
In City Proper district of Iloilo City, the downtown area was again crowded with a sea of people queuing in different establishments.
Amid the holiday rush, private cars and public utility vehicles filled the busy streets in the metro causing heavy traffic congestion, particularly in the City Proper and Jaro districts.
Despite this, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said that the heavy traffic congestion signifies that the local economy is slowly picking up due to the demands of the Christmas season.
“Gapugok, kon kaisa gagutok na ang traffic, nagadamo ang tawo. To a certain extent, it shows that businesses are starting to spike up because of the high demand of Christmas season,” he said.
Meanwhile, Department of Trade and Industry Iloilo (DTI-Iloilo) Director Judith Degala reminded the public to remain vigilant in checking the labels and the necessary information when purchasing Christmas products.
While toys are not under the scope of DTI, Degala also warned parents and families to be cautious when buying toys.
“Always check the label. Ang iban nga toys may mga magagmay nga parts possible hukson nila kag masulod nila sa sensitive part of their body so it’s really dangerous. Take note of the warning advisory sa manufacturers, don’t take it for grant,” he said.
She also urged consumers to exercise their right to information and right to choose when purchasing products especially this holiday rush.
“How can we exercise the right to choose and right to information kon nagarush ka na ka pamili kon ano na lang da mapulot mo kuhaon mo nalang. There are so many products in the market nga mapilian the reason why damo siya because ara sa aton ang right nga magpili sang gusto ta,” Degala stressed.
Degala also urged Ilonggo consumers to patronize locally made and locally manufactured Christmas products as it will be a huge help to small businesses slowly recovering from the pandemic.
By supporting local products, you can help the local economy survive and recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Let us help each other. This is the time when we Ilonggos should be really helping each other. Ang gamay gamay nga bulig sa kada isa kon tingubon is dako gid nga nabutang. So buy local, patronize our own and we can help improve our economy and makabangon sa pandemya. (DG)
