ILOILO CITY – More than 500 paddlers competed in the official return of the Iloilo River Dragon Boat Festival (IRDBF) on Sunday, Nov. 24.
DRAGON boat teams compete in the Iloilo River Dragon Boat Festival on Sunday, Nov. 24. (Arnold Almacen/CMO)
The race of teams from all over the country was officiated by the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF), the country’s national governing body for dragon boat racing.
“The festival is not just a one-time event, but aims to build a lasting culture and sport in the city,” said Allan Ryan Tan, president of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI).
The IRDBF began in 2018 as one of the ways to sustain the rehabilitation of the Iloilo River pushed by former Ilonggo Sen. Franklin Drilon.
Coordinator Joanne Marie Pijuan said the IRDBF was also meant to make the Iloilo River as a hub for water recreational sports.
“We want to make this event accessible to everyone, from young paddlers to seniors as well,” Pijuan added.
The IRDBF is planning to integrate dragon boat racing as a major sporting event with the Iloilo City government’s Sports Division.
Tan thanked DoubleDragon Corp. for donating four dragon boats used in the race.