By John Noel E. Herrera
The Iloilo City Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) issued a temporary traffic scheme to be implemented during the Opening Salvo of the Dinagyang Festival today, Jan 13, 2023.
PSTMO head Jeck Conlu said that the closure of several streets will start at 12 p.m. onwards and should be followed by all motorists.
PSTMO added that the traffic management plan will be similar to previous plans implemented during the pre-pandemic celebration of the festival.
It includes the closure of several streets in City Proper district – General Luna, Delgado, Ledesma, J. De Leon, Aldeguer, Mapa, Guanco, Ortiz, Rizal, J.M. Basa, Iznart, Valeria, Quezon, Bonifacio Drive, Montinola, Solis, Yulo, Texas, Arroyo, Arsenal, Peralta/Aduana, and Muelle Loney.
The following streets will be open to one-way traffic only:
-Muelle Loney (from Rizal La Paz/Drilon Bridge towards Quirino Bridge);
-Rizal Street (from Rizal statue towards Brgy. Rizal La Paz); and
-J. De Leon Street (from corner Jalandoni Street towards Fuentes Street).
The Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) are not allowed to access Ledesma (from corner Mabini Street towards J.M. Basa Street); Luna Street from La Paz Rotonda; Muelle Loney Street (from corner Quirino Bridge towards Gen Peralta), and General Luna Street from corner Jalandoni Street towards Quezon Street.
Conlu said all trucks are not allowed to go in and out of the City Proper district area during the Opening Salvo.
Other private vehicles, on the other hand, will be allowed except on the streets where the parade is being held and on streets declared “no entry” to all types of vehicles.
The tribes will also perform in a carousel type of parade in four judging areas – the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, Mapa Street, Iloilo Provincial Capitol, and Quezon-Ledesma Street.
Eight tribes from the Dagyang sa Barangay and seven tribes from Dinagyang ILOmination will showcase a 5-minute performance in every judging area which will signal the opening of this year’s Dinagyang celebration.
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) will also hold a world-class performance at the Iloilo Convention Center at 7 p.m. and in Jaro Gym on Jan 14, 2023.
“The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) will be opening the much-awaited Dinagyang Festival 2023. They will join the celebration along with Maestro Herminigildo Ranera to perform Classical, Broadway, Kundiman, and Popular Filipino songs to serenade and excite the Ilonggo people,” the city government announced on its Facebook page.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas issued Executive Order (EO) No. 007, suspending all classes in Iloilo City effective 12:01 p.m. today.
“The participation of students in the celebration of the Dinagyang Festival, especially in its opening program-Opening Salvo, can help inculcate in them the culture and values embodied by Ilonggos,” part of the EO read.
