ILOILO – The provincial government has scheduled the opening of its Christmas lights display on the provincial capitol grounds for December 6.
Dubbed “Christmas Village in a Modern Philippines”, this year’s Christmas lights showcase promises to be a bigger and better version, with a nationwide audience in mind.
The provincial government allocated P4.8 million for the festive display.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. announced that the opening event will feature a lantern parade and dance presentations by capitol employees.
To attract visitors nightly, the provincial government has prepared a lineup of activities, including a food festival, trade fair, film showings, and other socio-cultural events.
“This is bigger. We leveled up. We always strive to improve from the previous year. We added new fixtures to create a wonderland for children. This is different; it’s the Christmas Village in a Modern Philippines,” said Defensor.
The governor explained that while last year’s display targeted nearby provinces in the region, this year’s event aims to draw attention to Iloilo from across the country.
“Why are we investing in this? Because when Iloilo becomes well-known and popular, more visitors come. Who are these visitors? Tourists. When we have many tourists, our tourism thrives, which boosts our economy. This, in turn, generates business and employment opportunities for Iloilo City and the province,” Defensor added.
He also highlighted the abundance of beautiful tourist destinations in Iloilo that visitors can explore during the holiday season.
To ensure peace and order, the provincial government will implement security measures, such as limiting the operating hours of the lights display and deploying security personnel across the grounds.
The much-anticipated event aims to establish Iloilo as a must-visit destination during the Christmas season./PN
