‘NO PERMIT, NO VENDING’: Treñas-Chu enforces no-permit rule for Dinagyang vendors

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu on Monday, Jan. 19, said transient ambulant and food truck vendors without permits for the 2026 Dinagyang Festival will not be allowed to sell to the public.

During a press conference the same day, Treñas-Chu stressed that vending without a permit will not be tolerated during the festival period.

Executive Order No. 003, series of 2026, issued on Jan. 13, regulates the operation of transient ambulant vendors and food trucks from Jan. 21–25.

Under the order, transient ambulant vendors are defined as nonresidents of Iloilo City who temporarily sell food or nonfood items.

The Dinagyang Festival is one of the Philippines’ largest cultural events, drawing thousands of visitors annually and prompting tighter public order and safety regulations.

Eligible vendors may apply for permits with the Special Services Division of the Public Order and Safety Management Office until Friday, Jan. 23.

Application requirements include valid proof of identity, an accomplished Special Services Division profile form, an official receipt for the PHP 500 fee, and updated health cards for food vendors and handlers.

The mayor’s clarification followed earlier remarks by POSMO–SSD officer in charge Hannah Rubio, who said during a press conference that vendors without permits would still be allowed to operate during the main festival days on Jan. 24 and 25.

Treñas-Chu said she directed POSMO chief Uldarico Garbanzos to review how the executive order is being implemented.

“If they do not have the correct papers, we cannot regulate them. I asked Garbanzos to review the protocols we released two weeks ago so we can regulate all ambulant vendors,” the mayor said during her Jan. 19 press conference.

While the executive order authorizes POSMO to inspect permits and penalize the use of counterfeit official receipts and permits, it does not specify penalties for vendors operating without permits.

Treñas-Chu said, however, that unpermitted vendors will be issued citation tickets by POSMO, and repeat offenders may have their carts, materials, and goods confiscated.