Iloilo City Prepares for Traffic and Festivities at Dinagyang Festival’s Opening Salvo

ILOILO CITY: Residents and visitors in Iloilo City are gearing up for significant traffic changes and a vibrant display of culture with the opening salvo of the Dinagyang Festival scheduled for this Friday. The city’s traffic management has announced road closures and advised the public to prepare for congested streets and a longer walking distance to reach the event venues.

According to Philippines News Agency, head of the Iloilo City Traffic Management Unit, heavy traffic is expected on Friday, particularly during the rush hour for outbound vehicles. Garbanzos, in a Monday interview, highlighted the anticipated increase in vehicular volume as people come into the city to witness the opening festivities. He detailed the routes for the ‘Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan’ on Jan. 5, which will encompass judging areas on Mabini Delgado and Ledesma-Quezon streets, differing from previous years where the focus was around the Freedom Grandstand and the Provincial Capitol.

Emergency lanes will be maintained in key areas including Muelle Loney, Laguda, Esplanade 5 on Nabitasan, and Rizal Street, to facilitate smoother traffic flow and emergency responses.

Joyce Clavecillas, executive director of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI), shared insights into the scale of the festival’s opening salvo. The event will feature nine tribes participating in the Ati Tribes competition, five in the Sadsad sa Calle Real, and seven in the Dinagyang ILOmination street dance competition. Additionally, the 15 Miss Iloilo contenders will make appearances before the tribal performances.

Clavecillas emphasized the packed schedule, with four major events and competitions, including the Kasadyahan, Sadsad sa Calle Real, Dinagyang ILOmination, and the Ati Tribes competition. The opening salvo aims to give a glimpse of the extensive preparations leading up to the main festival days on Jan.27-28, promising a rich cultural experience for attendees.