Around 15,500 barangay officials from Iloilo province’s 1,721 barangays are expected to gather for this year’s Liga Day, making it the largest attendance in the event’s history.
In a press conference on Monday, July 13, Liga ng mga Barangay Iloilo Provincial Federation president Amalia Debuque said preparations are in full swing for the event, which will be held at the Iloilo Sports Complex on Sunday, July 19.
“I think that (expected number of participants) is a record-breaking high in the Liga ng mga Barangay to gather this much people in the sports complex,” she told reporters.
The 2026 celebration carries the theme, “Kusog sang Kabarangayan, Kusog sang Probinsya kag Kabanwahanan,” highlighting the role of barangays in strengthening communities and local governance.
Activities will begin at 7 a.m. with the arrival of delegates, followed by the Parade of Colors featuring cadet officers, cultural performers, muses and escorts, and barangay delegations from across the province.
The morning program will feature a welcome message from Debuque, an inspirational message from Governor Arthur R. Defensor Jr., the presentation of delegates, and the ceremonial distribution of checks under the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program in two batches.
Debuque said processing of documents for the program is ongoing, with more than 90 percent of the required papers already completing voucher and FURS processing.
She explained that the release of assistance will depend on the submission and compliance of the concerned barangays, with some local government units already having complete documents ready for release.
Debuque said the Provincial Liga has coordinated with the Iloilo City Government, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), and the Traffic Management Unit (TPMO) for the conduct of the event.
Around 130 police personnel from the city and provincial police offices will be deployed, while a “drop-and-go” traffic scheme will be implemented for vehicles bringing barangay officials to the venue.
Parking areas have also been designated at West Visayas State University and Iloilo National High School.
Among the invited guests are National Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas president Maria Katrina Jessica G. Dy, and League of Cities of the Philippines National president and San Juan City Mayor Francis M. Zamora.
The names of the celebrity performers will be announced separately.
The afternoon program will feature the Bida ka sa Liga Live Showdown, raffle draws, the awarding of winners in the Bida ka sa Liga, Hataw sa Liga and Trashion Show competitions, and a live performance by Rivermaya.
Despite the scale of the gathering, Debuque said she hopes the annual celebration will strengthen camaraderie among barangay officials across the province.
“Nothing is perfect, but I hope they will enjoy. I hope there will be camaraderie among the barangay officials in Iloilo Province,” she said.Carla Eunice Guevara, WVSU-COC intern/IMT
