ILOILO City – During Wednesday’s regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), Councilor Plaridel Nava proposed an ordinance regulating the use of the term “Dinagyang” in any event in this southern city.
Nava observed that “Dinagyang” has been used, misused or abused in non-city government-sanctioned events some of which involved monetary considerations.
“The use of the word ‘Dinagyang’ must be regulated by the city government to protect the integrity of the annual festival,” read part of Nava’s proposed ordinance.
“Wala na sacredness ang Dinagyang which is supposed to be a revelry, a celebration…but ginagamit sa money-making ventures. So we need to regulate…ang paggamit sang tinaga nga Dinagyang,” Nava told his fellow legislators.
Section 2 of the proposed measure provides that a person, group or organization intending to use the word “Dinagyang” in any event shall comply with the following requirements:
* letter of recommendation from the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI)
* disclose the nature and rationale of the event, including financial capacity in a fund-raising activity
* proof of legal personality of the applicant
The proposed ordinance also stipulated that the city mayor or his duly authorized representative is empowered to cause the outright stoppage of any event that uses “Dinagyang” that do not comply with the requirements.
For the proposed penalties, any person who willfully violate the ordinance shall, after conviction in the appropriate trial court, suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not more than one month and a fine of not more than P5,000.
If the offender is a juridical entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the officer/s of the entity who participated in the decision that led to the violation of any provision of the ordinance.
The proposed ordinance was referred to the committee on tourism for study, report and recommendation./PN
