Iloilo City cancels more events as coronavirus continues threat

ILOILO CITY—The Iloilo City government has called off more public events and gathering as a precautionary measure against the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has directed the postponement of the Iloilo Summer Arts Festival set next month to October. The Paraw Regatta sailboat festival which has already been reset to next month has been indefinitely postponed.

Treñas also announced a second postponement of the Iloilo International Bike Festival. The festival, set later this month until the first week of April, has been moved to November.

“The safety of all Ilonggos is the paramount consideration for all our decisions. Keep safe Iloilo,” Treñas said in a press release.

He said he was hopeful that the situation will improve by late this year.

The mayor also ordered the cancellation of “moving up” (graduation) ceremonies for pupils of day care centers administered by the city government. He said the children’s certificates will instead be given to the parents.

Treñas said he will meet with school authorities in the city to discuss how baccalaureate Masses and graduation ceremonies will be conducted.

Last month, the city government also canceled an international religious gathering that was expected to draw more than 20,000 participants including those from South Korea.

Edited by TSB