ILOILO CITY – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas will seek the inclusion of the world-famous Dinagyang Festival and the prominent Molo Church in the promotional video of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
“Now that the contract of DOT for the ‘Love the Philippines’ video and promotion is terminated, perhaps in the next video/promotion, the Iloilo Dinagyang or the Molo Church can be included,” he said, adding that he planned to send a letter to the DOT.
Treñas stressed that the Dinagyang Festival has been adjudged the best tourism event of the Philippines for several times by the Association of Tourism Officers (ATOP) of the country.
“It has earned the right to be included (in the tourism promotional video),” he added.
City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO) head Junel Divinagracia said Dinagyang is a “Hall of Famer” as best tourism event in the country.
“Kon ako pamangkuton mo naga-agree gid ako sina kay mayor nga dapat madala ina ang Dinagyang sa promotional video,” said Divinagracia.
The Molo Church, she added, is one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Western Visayas. In 1992, it was declared a national landmark by the National Historical Institute.
“Ka-imposing kag tahum ang architecture sang Molo Church that is why we are very proud of that… Pride naton ina kon madala ang isa or duha ka destination sang syudad sa promotional videos sang DOT kay we know nga ang pag-promote sang DOT all over the world,” she stressed.
As ATOP president, Divinagracia said she can endorse it through their organization or the ATOP itself can make an endorsement.
“Fitting and proper lang gid man nga dapat ma-include na ang aton nga mga best tourism festivals and tourism destinations. Nakita ko man abi ang mga sentimiento sang mga tourism officers, ining issue when the campaign started, so I don’t think nga indi sila magsugot,” she added./PN
