By Emme Rose Santiagudo
Iloilo City government officials once again reminded Ilonggos to keep the city clean and trash-free following the beginning of the Dinagyang season on Friday.
According to Councilor Ely Estante, the recent opening salvo showed the need for the city to intensify efforts in keeping the city clean, especially with the upcoming Dinagyang 2020.
Estante, who also chairs the Committee on Environment of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, expressed his dismay with plants that were trampled by the public in one of the judging areas on Friday.
“Gingastuhan na sang gobyerno, gingastuhan ni mayor, gin-maintain, ginabuntayagan tapos sa isang iglap madula ang tanan,” he told Daily Guardian on Friday.
Estante said all Ilonggos should play an active role in Dinagyang by initiating efforts to keep the city clean and trash-free.
“This is not only the affair of the Iloilo City Government but as well as an affair for all Ilonggos sa siyudad We need their cooperation and support nga mangin alert kita ya sa mga basura and ihaboy ta sa ensakto nga lugar,” he stressed.
More than anyone else, he emphasized that Ilonggos should lead by example in terms of cleanliness and discipline especially to the visitors and guests for the upcoming Dinagyang,
“Ilonggos should serve as example sa mga bisita. Ang katungdanan diri sa siyudad sang Iloilo not necessary nga IFFI lang, city government lang para at least makabig naton nga model kita mismo sa aton mga bisita,” Estante emphasized.
This was also the appeal of Mayor Jerry Treñas.
In his Facebook page on Friday, the mayor called for the cooperation of Ilonggos in keeping the city clean.
“I strongly seek for everyone’s cooperation in keeping the city clean. Do not throw your trash everywhere. Do not leave your garbage along the streets. Kindly observe cleanliness and orderliness at all times,” he said.
According to the mayor, the city government will implement ordinances to discipline the Ilonggos.
“Our city has stiff penalties for environmental violations. Those who will be caught littering and destroying the plants will be dealt accordingly. Together, let us ensure that our celebration of Dinagyang will be trash-free,” he said.
As a precautionary measure, Estante suggested that there should be a fence to house and protect the plants especially the ones planted along the judging areas in City Proper district.
“Dako ang gastos sa tanom amo na dapat pag-abot sang Dinagyang dapat may ara sang kudal, daw fence, kag pabantayan sa mga green guards,” he emphasized.
The city government recently deployed green guards to the public plazas and other key areas in the city to apprehend those who attempt to vandal or destroy the plants in the metro.
Estante added the Anti-Littering Ordinance of the city should be strictly implemented especially during Dinagyang.
Aside from this, he said the kiosks should prepare garbage cans and trash cans in their respective selling areas.
“Sa bahin sang basura, unahon ang mga kiosko sa pagprovide sang mga garbage cans, trash cans, kay iban ginabalewala na lang kon diin nila ihaboy ila mga basura,” Estante said.
Meanwhile, Treñas lauded the new organization, Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc., including the participating tribes, for the levelled up Dinagyang celebration.
“Ang aton tribes nagtinguha upod ang IFFI. Ginapabugal ko gid ang plano sang IFFI. Nakibot lang kita tanan kay kadamo sang ila plano para sa kalingawan sang Ilonggo sa ngalan ni Señor Santo Niño,” he said in his speech during the opening salvo on Friday.
The mayor also thanked all the committees, departments, and the police who were behind the security and safety of Dinagyang
“Ini nga Dinagyang himuon ta pinakamatawhay nga Dinagyang kag amo ni ang pinakadako nga Dinagyang Festival sa siyudad. Gapakita gid lang nga ang mga Ilonggo nagaselebrar sa Señor Sto Niño para mapasalamat sa blessings para ini nga tuig maayo para sa siyudad sang Iloilo,” he said.
The highlight of the Dinagyang 2020 which is thw Dinagyang 360 happens on January 26, 2020 while Dagyang sa Calle Real is scheduled on January 25, 2020.
