MAYOR Raisa Treñas accompanies the Santo Niño image during the fluvial procession of the 2026 Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City on Friday. (Mark Balmores)
ILOILO CITY – After another public outcry, Mayor Raisa Treñas lifted the liquor curfew for the weekend highlight of the 2026 Dinagyang Festival.
“We hear you! Sa Dinagyang Festival 2026, wala anay curfew ang taga,” Treñas announced on Friday, Jan. 23.
The mayor backtracked on her Jan. 21 order where the sale of alcoholic beverages was only allowed from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. until Monday, Jan. 26.
The liquor curfew was lifted due to complaints from many Ilonggos as Dinagyang is Iloilo’s main festival. The root word ‘‘dagyang’’ means merriment.
The liquor curfew could impact businesses, which rented kiosks for the various food festivals across the city.
Raisa and the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) have been under fire for flip-flopping policies during the highlight of the festival that honors the Santo Niño or Holy Child Jesus – banderitas (flaglets) and permits for vendors and Dinagyang costumes or mascots.