The Iloilo provincial government here is eyeing to utilize the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan of the Dinagyang Festival as a platform for various tourism activities in the province.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said Executive Order (EO) No. 168, which he signed in 2024, “declared the Kasadyahan as the cultural stage of the province, the display window of cultural heritage of the whole province and our municipalities.”

“Before, we said that Kasadyahan is the cultural stage of the province, but if we look at the tribes and the events, it cuts across everything in the executive order. So, we make it a major platform for the implementation of our tourism programs, not only the festival aspect, not only of culture and heritage, but everything that we can implement there, we will put on that platform,” he said in a media interview.

Defensor said he will make some minor adjustments to the EO, which he will present during his meeting with department heads on Wednesday.

With the adjustments, Kasadyahan will be Iloilo’s platform for the implementation of the Turista sa Barangay for MoRProGRes (Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally-competitive, and Resilient Province of Iloilo), which is eyed to develop community-based tourism hubs under the 10-year Tourism Development Plan and the Fun, Foodie, Friendly initiatives.

The Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan is one of the major activities of the provincial government this month, starting with the sneak peek of their performance during the opening salvo on Jan. 10 and the competition proper on Jan. 24.

Eight festivals will participate in the event, including the Jimanban Festival of the town of New Lucena; Tawili Festival of San Rafael; Salakayan Festival, Miagao; Pagnahi-an, Bingawan; Tultugan, Maasin; Kasag Festival, Banate; Kahilwayan Festival, Sta. Barbara; and Banaag Festival from Anilao. (PNA)