FILE photo of devotees flocking to the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral for the Jaro Fiesta in Iloilo City. (Tara Yap)
ILOILO CITY—Due to road closures and rerouting of vehicles, selected schools in this city will not have classes on Monday for the annual celebration of Jaro Fiesta.
Mayor Raisa Treñas suspended classes in all schools in Jaro District under Executive Order No. 012-Series of 2026.
Other major schools, including the University of San Agustin (USA), also suspended classes for the Feb. 2 feast of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles) or the patronnes saint of Western Visayas region.
“Based on the historical data of the Iloilo City Traffic and Management Office, the series of religious and cultural events have attracted almost 10,000 people within the vicinity of Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral,” said Treñas in the executive order.
Authorities are expecting more devotees coming from other parts of Iloilo province as well as the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Guimaras.
Instead of face-to-face classes, schools were urged to go back to online classes that became the norm during the pandemic.
With the influx of devotees, the Iloilo City Police (ICPO) is leading the security measures for the region’s biggest religious fiesta.
“As we honor Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, we call on everyone to cooperate with authorities so we can all enjoy a peaceful, safe, and secure Jaro Fiesta 2026,” said ICPO OIC Police Col. Wilbert Parilla.
“The police are in place and fully prepared to protect our devotees, residents, and visitors,” added Parilla.