By Perla Lena/PNA
ILOILO CITY — Guests are invited to partake of the food festival, one of the events lined up for this year’s Dinagyang festival, and have a taste of Ilonggo delicacies in just one setting, this January 24-27.
Iloilo Hotels, Resorts, and Restaurants Association (IHRRA) past president Happy Abenir said as of Friday, they already have 25 members that confirmed their participation.
“We will be providing good food, the best of what Iloilo has to offer,” she said in an interview Monday, adding that there will be nightly entertainment.
Abenir said security procedures and sanitary management are already in place.
The food festival is facilitated by the IHRRA, which has been holding the annual food festival at Iloilo City’s Delgado Street for 20 years now.
Apart from the IHRRA, there will also be kiosks accredited by the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. that will be selling food in major streets identified by the foundation.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III, in the spirit of Dinagyang, temporarily suspended Executive Order (EO) 146 ordering the mandatory closure of resto bars, night clubs, and other similar establishments at 2 a.m.
The suspension of the EO takes effect starting January 25 until January 27.
“This is only applicable starting this Friday until Monday morning. This is in connection with Dinagyang celebration because some businessmen here appealed for the relaxation of the rule,” Espinosa said, as he signed Monday EO 008, series of 2019.
The mayor, however, emphasized that the suspension will only be during the three-day Dinagyang highlights and will not in any way be extended.
He expressed confidence that the thousands of augmentation forces could ably ensure Dinagyang revelers.
The liquor ban and curfew for minors will stay unless they are with their guardians or parents.
Meanwhile, Jim Velez, president of the Iloilo Smallville-Boardwalk Business Association Inc., confirmed they requested the mayor for the temporary suspension of the executive order to allow revelers to enjoy.
“We don’t want limitations for our guests because they come here to enjoy. We want to entertain them,” he said.
Espinosa signed EO 146 addressing the “then rising number of incidents and crimes, which were reportedly committed/involved persons under the influence of liquor.”
