Japanese cruise ship to visit Iloilo City for Dinagyang Festival

• Source: https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1017110
• Thursday, January 17, 2019

By Leonard T. Pineda, I (JBG/LTP/DOT6/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- Japanese cruise ship “MV Pacific Venus” will arrive in Iloilo City on January 26, 2019, in time for the world-renowned Dinagyang Festival.

In a media release, Department of Tourism (DOT)-6 Regional Director Helen Catalbas said that the agency and the local government unit here is 100 percent ready for the arrival of the Japanese cruise ship which will carry a total of 720 passengers including 180 crew members.

“The Department of Tourism Region 6 assures that the facilities and front liners are now ready for the arrival of this Japanese cruise ship,” she said.

MV Pacific Venus with 183 meters in length will dock at the Iloilo International Port, Loboc, Lapuz, Iloilo City in the morning of January 26 and will leave in the afternoon of the following day.

An estimated 400 Japanese passengers will witness the highlights of the Dinagyang Festival including the Kasadyahan Cultural Competition and the Dagyang Tribes Competition.

Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. recently announced that 400 seats are reserved in the newly constructed Iloilo City Dinagyang Grandstand for the visitors.

They will also have a tour in Iloilo City which includes a visit to Jaro Church and plaza, Molo Church and Mansion, Casa Mariquit and a running tour of the Jaro district here.

According to Catalbas, Iloilo City and Roxas City are now ready for the cruise tourism, as per assessment of the local cruise composite inspection team.

“We are continuously coordinating with other government agencies especially the Philippine Ports Authority to ensure the security and smooth arrival of the Japanese cruise ship, memorable Dinagyang Festival experience and Iloilo City tour of visitors up to the time they leave,” she said.

Arrangements for the arrival of the Japanese cruise ship MV Pacific Venus in Iloilo City started in January last year, when ship executives conducted an ocular inspection of Iloilo City.

The second ocular inspection was conducted on December 11 to 12, 2018.

Catalbas said the arrival of the Japanese cruise ship is a big break for the tourism industry of Iloilo City.

“Japan is known for its high standards, and Iloilo City being one of the destinations of MV Pacific Venus means a lot," she added.