Task Force to demolish illegally constructed stages
The Task Force Asis headed by Engr. Bobby Dumanil will demolish illegally constructed stages near the judging areas and Dinagyang parade route. The construction of these poorly constructed makeshift stages put the lives of the occupants in great danger.
City Engineer Marito Amatorio, chair of the committee on stage construction of the Iloilo Dinagyang said the Task Force Asis has the authority to destroy all stages other than those they sanctioned.
The committee only sanctioned the construction of stages near the provincial capitol, corner Ledesma-Quezon and at the Ma. Clara area. They also allowed the construction of one stage fronting the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand. The stages in judging areas are well constructed and made of steel. While, illegally constructed stages are made of coco lumber.
Amatorio said they have no authority to take action against the owners of the illegally constructed stages. Owners do not have to seek any clearance from them before the construction takes place.
The illegally constructed stages appeared hours before the Kasadyahan and Dinagyang competition. In previous years, an illegally constructed stage in Ma. Clara area collapsed.
According to Engr. Ely Bagtasus, chair of the committee on kiosks, the owners of the illegally constructed stages got their permission from the barangay where the area belongs.
The committee has already coordinated with the barangay captains in the City Proper to cooperate with the committee in order to avert any accident caused by poorly constructed stages.
People who could not afford to buy a ticket in the four judging areas prefer to pay some cash to the owner to see the spectacular performance of the competing tribes. The city government for the past years has tolerated the construction of these stages.