9 Iloilo festivals to perform at Freedom Grandstand
Traffic is expected in the city's main streets this afternoon, particularly near the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, as a parade of festivals will be held in connection with the 2008 Association of the Tourism Officers of the Philippine (ATOP) national convention being hosted by the city.
The participating festivals are: Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City, Kahilwayan Festival of the town of Sta. Barbara; Tinuom Festival (Cabatuan); Bana-ag Festival (Anilao); Tigkaralag Festival (Pavia); Kasag Festival (Banate); Saad Festival (Leganes); Pantat Festival (Zarraga) and Samba Regatta, also of Iloilo City.
The Manggahan Festival of Guimaras and Binirayan Festival of Antique have yet to confirm their attendance in this afternoon's parade of festivals.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said tourism officers in the entire country are rearing to witness the parade of festivals in Iloilo City. Last year, Dinagyang Festival was adjudged by the ATOP as best tourism event in the country. The delegates already numbered to 460. The city is expecting more than 500 delegates to attend the convention which opened Thursday.
Treñas added the convention will give the domestic tourism a chance to be promoted especially that the United States of America is suffering from financial crisis. The domestic tourism has a better chance now to be promoted and developed, he said.
There are 1,500 municipalities and 136 cities in the country. Each city or municipality has their own funds for the Lakbay aral purposes. The convention serves as an avenue for the members of the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) to promote their destinations and products, said Treñas.
The city is well-prepared in hosting the convention. Most of the hotels are already occupied and the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has also prepared its peace and order plan to protect guests and visitors.
Aside from the different delegates, Senator Richard Gordon, Department of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano and DOT Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab will attend the four-day convention. The convention ends on Sunday. The awarding night for best tourism practices is set on Saturday evening.