Thematic zoning for kiosks in Dinagyang '09
Placement of kiosks in next year's Dinagyang will follow a thematic zoning, an innovation thought by the festival's committee on kiosks in order to attract more people.
Engr. Ely Bagtasus, chair of the committee on kiosks, in an interview with Z100's Kape Beynte-Beynte last Saturday said that unlike in previous years where the kiosks mainly focus on food and drinks, they have thought of allocating spaces for the products of the different municipalities in next year's festivities.
Initially, Bagtasus said, the Philippine National Bank vicinity in Valeria Street would be used as an area for native delicacies and wares, Yulo Street for cutflower exhibitors, Solis Street for fruit vendors.
He said they have invited the various municipalities in the province of Iloilo to display their products and also to come up with activities in their designated kiosks.
He also encouraged other enterprising groups to be part of the celebration.
Bagtasus said there are 520 available kiosks to be issued to interested lesses on a "first come first served" basis. Each kiosk has an area of 3 meters by 4 meters.
He said to obtain a kiosk one has to pay P1,000 plus the barangay permit fee to be charged by the barangay where the kiosk is located and possibly a P150 tax from the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Bagtasus said the P1,000 fee would cover the expenses for electricity, garbage collection, sanitation and maintenance of peace and order.
He said they will start accepting applications for kiosks starting December 2.
Bagtasus added that they have already acquired 12 new portalets to be placed in the strategic areas where the kiosks are scattered.
Bagtasus also stressed that next year they will no longer allow motorcycles, multicabs or any other vehicles from entering the kiosk area to avoid congestion that may lead to accidents or stampede.