Food vendors optimistic about better earnings during Dinagyang
ILOILO City – With the Dinagyang Food Festival commencing, f ood stall owners and ambulant vendors are hopeful for a significant increase in their income, anticipating large crowds in the downtown area.
Jane Defensor, 48, from Mina, Iloilo who operates food kiosks at the back of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol expressed optimism for higher earnings this year compared to the last, noting the advantageous new location of her stalls outside the capitol.
The food festival began yesterday morning, coinciding with similar events on Delgado and Valeria streets, City Proper, and the Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao district.
Defensor, offering items like chicken inasal, pork barbecue, and f i sh, has seen increased sales during previous Dinagyang festivals and expects this trend to continue.
Arnel Distua, 37, from Pavia, Iloilo shares this optimism, although he remains cautious about predicting foot traffic to his stall in the capitol area.
This year marks Distua’s third participation in the food festival, and he is hopeful for an increase in income due to the myriad of activities planned for this year’s Dinagyang.
Eden Panisales, 67, from Dumangas, Iloilo anticipates his kiosk’s income could potentially double, now benefiting f rom a more accessible location outside the capitol.
Selling mushroom products, banana chips, and pastillas, Panisales has noticed more visitors to the City Proper for the Dinagyang festivities and expects her sales to reflect this increase in pedestrian traffic.
Defensor, Distua and Panisales are just three of the 70 merchants authorized by the Iloilo provincial government to sell at the Gastronomic Food Festival and Bazaar on Muelle Loney Street, Iloilo City, behind the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
The event runs from 5 p.m. until midnight on January 2526,2024, and from 10 a.m. until midnight on January 27-28, 2024.
Local government units ( LGUs) from the province, including Ajuy, Batad, Concepcion, and Santa Barbara, also participate, showcasing their local products.
However, not all vendors are experiencing the same level of optimism. Ana Acuro, 59, from Barangay North Baluarte, Molo district, reported slower sales, attributing this to the road closures that have deterred people from visiting the downtown area and disrupted public transport routes.
She remains hopeful for a turnaround in sales of her food items and mineral water over the upcoming weekend.
Jovy Pilado ,44, from Guimaras, highlighted the current economic challenges, noting a decrease in spending power and its impact on his
kakanin (rice cake) sales. Belen Gadian, another vendor f rom Guimaras, compared t he situation unfavorably to last year but remained hopeful for improved sales during the weekend rush.
Ria Bayabay, 37, from La Paz district, also noted a downturn in sales, attributing it to the reduced traffic and the public’s reluctance to spend. She, like others, is awaiting the weekend, hoping for an influx of visitors to the downtown area that could boost her fruit sales.
With over 700 kiosks participating in the Dinagyang Food Festival, including 500 in the Iloilo Business Park and more than 200 in the downtown area, particularly on Valeria and Delgado streets, the event presents a mix of opportunities and challenges for local vendors amidst the festive atmosphere./