By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Mayor Salvador Escalante of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental said on Friday that all is set for the highlight of the Dinagsa Festival this weekend.
Escalante told reporters in a phone patch interview that he expects the influx of festival goers as this is the first Dinagsa festival to be held after a 2-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dinagsa is Cadiz City’s version of the Ati-Atihan, Sinulog and Dinagyang festivals and uses water-based paint and not charcoal for “lamhitanay.”
The mayor officially declared the opening of the 49th Dinagsa Festival at the city’s grandstand on Jan. 21, 2023 adding that the celebration is in honor of Santo Niño de Cadiz.
He said the city last celebrated Dinagsa in 2020 with an estimated crowd of 700,000 based on the assessment of the Philippine National Police.
The mayor appealed to the festival goers to come early to avoid the rush.
He also urged the festival goers to use water-based paint adding that the city government will not impose the wearing of face masks.
“We cannot impose that anymore, there is no need”, he added.
Escalante said he is also thankful for the help of the city council.
The Dinagsa Festival will culminate Sunday, January 29, 2023 with the street dancing competition.
