Hala Bira, Magsinadya Responsibly: Kasadyahan 2026 Steps Into Circular Economy

By Mariela Angella oladive

This year’s Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan is redefining how festivals are staged, placing sustainability at the core of cultural celebration as it formally adopts circular economy principles for the 2026 edition.

Circular Economy is a project of the Iloilo Provincial Government under the PH Plastics Circularity Project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme–Philippines with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation.

Festival organizers said the initiative aims to reduce waste, extend the life of materials used in performances, and promote responsible consumption among performers and spectators alike.

Festival Director for Program and Production Alfonso Baldonado III earlier said the circular economy framework was introduced this year to familiarize participating contingents with sustainable practices, with stricter compliance expected in the coming editions.

Under the new guidelines, participating groups are encouraged to ensure that at least 30 percent of their costumes and props are recyclable, reusable, or made from natural materials.

The use of single-use plastics, styrofoam, confetti, and tarpaulins is being discouraged as part of a broader move toward zero-waste festival staging.

Festivalgoers are likewise being called to take part in the sustainability effort.

Organizers are urging the public to avoid single-use plastics such as disposable cups, straws, plastic bags, and food containers, and instead bring reusable bottles, tumblers, and utensils.

Free water-refilling stations will be available during performances, with attendees encouraged to bring their own containers.

Waste segregation will be strictly implemented across festival venues, with trash classified into biodegradable, recyclable, residual, and liquid waste.

Food waste will be processed into compost or animal feeds, recyclables will be sent to recycling facilities and junk shops for repurposing, while hazardous waste—such as used face masks and contaminated plastics—will be collected separately to prevent environmental harm.

During performances, announcements will be made to inform the public of the locations of materials recovery facilities.

The Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) will serve as the compliance monitoring marshal to ensure that sustainability guidelines are observed.

To further embed circular economy thinking into festival culture, organizers will introduce a Circular Economy Creativity Award, recognizing groups that best integrate sustainability into their costume design, props, and overall performance concept.

While compliance this year remains largely educational, Baldonado said circular economy practices will become part of the official judging criteria in the future.

Failure to comply could result in deductions in a group’s final score once the policy is fully implemented.

The sustainability initiative is aligned with the festival theme, “Fun, Foodie, Friendly Iloilo: A Green, Grateful and Growing Province Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas.”

“Green” underscores environmental renewal, “grateful” highlights stewardship of nature, while “growing Iloilo” anchors the Tanum Iloilo campaign of Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., which aims to transform the province into a forest province by 2044.

Kasadyahan will also serve as a platform to heighten public awareness on disaster risk reduction and management, alongside the anti-smoking and anti-vaping campaigns of the Iloilo City government, in line with the broader Dinagyang Festival celebration.

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu reminded the public that these measures will be strictly enforced throughout the festivities.

To support proper waste management, additional trash bins have been installed along major roads and public spaces.

The mayor likewise urged festivalgoers to respect landscaped areas and refrain from damaging plants along streets and festival venues.

Meanwhile, banderitas, or festive pennants traditionally strung across city streets, will be installed only in selected areas this year.

The Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) has opted to scale back the use of the colorful decorations due to safety considerations, environmental concerns, and to maintain a cleaner, more open streetscape for photographs.