Calle Real, Downtown Iloilo City

Not so long ago, Iloilo City experienced surges of tourists flocking in to see it’s premiere festival: Dinagyang. However this is just once in a year…and the festival period of the city goes from 2nd week of January until mid-February, with Paraw Regatta closing the season. I laud the efforts of the City Tourism Office, the private sector and also DOT for the tireless effort in promoting Iloilo City as a tourist destination, despite Typhoon Frank and lack of attractions and amenities within the city.

Now, the city is also looking for a year round income-generator based on tourism. More tourists means more business. More business means brisker economy. Brisker economy means more jobs. More jobs in return makes one city livable. This simple domino effect understood by many policy makers, is part of what our capitalist world does. But what if one’s myopic interpretation of an ordinance may create a stumbling block for the economic take-off of the city? Read the rest of this entry »