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The Iloilo City Government has signed a memorandum of agreement with Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) for a P180-million loan for the upgrade of the city slaughterhouse in Barangay Tacas, Jaro.

The signing of the loan deal was led by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas representing the City Government, and SAVP Rodel Bustillo, head of DBP-Iloilo Branch.

Joining them were DBP Iloilo Lending Officer SAVP Jessica F. Juanico, DBP Legal Officer Atty. Kenneth Alovera, Atty. Fydah Sabando of the City Mayor’s Office, Local Economic Enterprise Office head Maricel Mabaquaio, and Liezel Quindong.

“Our city is progressive and continues to be progressive, so we must also upgrade our slaughterhouse to go with the development,” said Treñas.

The city mayor said using the DBP loan, the target is to build a new slaughterhouse facility with AAA classification. It will be located beside the existing slaughterhouse in Tacas, Jaro.

Currently, the city is finalizing its loan which is payable in 15 years, inclusive of three years grace period on the principal, as well as the design of the upgraded slaughterhouse so the construction can commence soonest.

With the AAA slaughterhouse, the city can look forward to an export-quality meat production and an increase in capacity of livestock heads that can be accommodated, or from around 500 heads to 1,000 heads daily.

Treñas also noted that the personnel or the butchers will also undergo training with National Meat Inspection Service, a specialized regulatory agency of the Department of Agriculture that is the country’s sole controlling authority on all matters pertaining to meat inspection and hygiene.

The LEEO oversees the operation of the city slaughterhouse, which became operational in the later part of 2007 yet.

Last month, it has collected a record-high income of P2.3 million for the slaughterhouse.

The city mayor is confident that with the pandemic over, it will continue to generate higher income, thus the city can promptly pay its loan. (Iloilo City PIO)

The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints continues to be a partner of the Iloilo Provincial Government in providing wheelchairs and assistive devices to persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Iloilo province.

Today, Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr. and the officials of the Latter-Day Saint Charities Philippines, Inc. (LDSC) signed anew a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the provision of wheelchairs and assistive devices.

LDSC has allotted 800 wheelchairs and 834 assistive devices for Iloilo province this year. It is LDSC’s second biggest provision for the said project in the country next to La Union.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) is in charge of finding the recipients.

To note, LDSC has been a partner of the provincial government in the provision of wheelchairs and assistive devices for several years and thousands of PWDs have already benefited from the project.

Gov. Defensor wholeheartedly thanked The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints for helping the province in addressing the needs of PWDs.

“We really thank you for this project because this is a big help to our PWDs,” said Gov. Defensor. “We lack funds for this kind of project and we are happy that the Church of the Latter-Day Saints is our partner in this,” he added.

It was learned that aside from the provision of wheelchairs and assistive devices, the LDSC will also spearhead the conduct of trainings for assessors and technicians which will be identified by the PSWDO.

The MOA signing was led by Emelito Reymund Orencia, Wheelchair Technical Specialist, and James Garcia, LDS Stake President, for the LDSC and Gov. Defensor and PSWDO chief Sarah Barayuga for the Iloilo Provincial Government.

PSWDO’s PWD Focal Person Ann Rapunzel Ganzon and other Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints members witness the MOA signing held at the Governor’s Boardroom/OpCen.

The Iloilo City Government assured stronger coordination among stakeholders especially with the Church relative to the promotion of Iloilo Dinagyang Festival.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas recommended to the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), which manages the festival, to coordinate with San Jose Parish Placer that will help the city in its promotion to avoid any issues following the 100-day countdown to Dinagyang Festival 2024 on Oct. 20.

The controversy started when netizens and the media called out the City Government and IFFI for inviting as guest a vlogger/social media influencer who used foul words during the program.

“On behalf of the organizers of Dinagyang 2024, I would like to offer my apology since sensitivities were affected during the countdown. Stronger coordination with the parish will be made so that Dinagyang 2024 will be properly promoted. Viva Señor Sto. Niño! Pit Señor,” the city mayor, who is currently in South Korea for an official trip, said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, who serves as Acting Mayor, also vowed further coordination with the hosts/employees of the city government and IFFI to make sure the same thing will not happen again.

“We only want the best for Iloilo and the Dinagyang Festival as we take pride by saying, ‘Our heart beats for Iloilo.’ And if along the way, we trip, let us altogether rise above this and do better next time. I believe it is never too late to straighten things up,” he added.

Ganzon said everyone is welcome in the city. In fact, he noted that he was one of those who also welcomed the said vlogger few days ago and even thanked him for promoting the best of Iloilo.

However, as Vice Mayor, a parent, a grandfather, a servant of God and being an active church member, Ganzon emphasized that as a duly elected official of values-centered Ilonggos, he yielded to the demand of concerned sectors especially the Church, parents, and teachers on the remarks during the festival countdown.

“I fully understand that since the event was in a public place, where general audience was present, we should have been more careful and responsible with whatever we say or do,” he added.

He further assured that the leadership of the City is one with those concerned sectors who want nothing but the best for the world-class festival dedicated to Señor Sto. Niño and the Ilonggo culture. (Iloilo City PIO)

By Vincent P. Grecia

Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) has released the schedule of major events in the 2024 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival slated on January 12 – 28 next year.

IFFI executive director Joyce Clavecillas said the much-sought school-based tribes will make a comeback in the Tribes Competition and they will bring in major innovations in several events.

“We can consider the highlight for 2024 the comeback of the schools. The last time they took part in our Dinagyang Festival was in 2020, before the pandemic,” said Clavecillas.

The foundation, together with the Iloilo City government and the San Jose Parish, launched the “100-Day Countdown to Iloilo Dinagyang 2024” last Friday (Oct. 20) evening, where selected members of eight participating tribes had their initial performances.

Clavecillas said the Dinagyang “ILOmination” would already become a parade-type street dance competition to allow more spectators to witness their performances, unlike last year when they performed in stages.

The parade will start in Atria Park District and pass through SM City Iloilo up to the Iloilo Business Park.

The Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan, formerly Kasadyahan Festival, will be handled by the Iloilo provincial government to allow them to highlight the festivals of various municipalities.

They will also bring back the “Sadsad (merrymaking) sa Calle Real” that will allow spectators to watch, mingle and have their pictures taken with participating tribes.

There will be five barangay tribes leading the merrymaking in the downtown area.

“We will officially open the festival on Jan. 12, a Friday, through our opening salvo,” Clavecillas said.

Clavecillas noted that there will be changes in the parade route and food festival venues considering that there is an ongoing construction of the Iloilo Central Market in the City Proper.

The theme of 2024 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival is “Pagdayaw kay Señor Santo Niño, Pagdayaw sang mga Ilonggo.” (with PNA)