Department of Tourism-Western Visayas Office

The Iloilo Bike Festival returns for its 12th edition from June 3–30, 2026, bringing a month-long celebration of cycling culture to Iloilo City 🚴✨

Opening on World Bike Day, the festival will once again gather cycling enthusiasts, hobbyists, and professional riders through various activities centered at Iloilo Business Park. With the theme “FLOW CITY: Iloilo Always on the Move!”, this year’s celebration highlights the city’s commitment to becoming a more breathable, livable, and people-centered urban destination that promotes active mobility and sustainable transportation.

Recognized nationally for its biking initiatives, Iloilo City continues to strengthen its reputation as one of the country’s leading bike-friendly cities, driven by a passionate cycling community that continues to inspire healthier and more sustainable lifestyles. 💫

TOURISM ADVISORY
No. 06-04 S. 2026

The Department of Tourism (DOT) Region VI – Western Visayas strongly warns all tourists planning to visit the region to REFRAIN FROM AND IMMEDIATELY STOP TRANSACTING with UNVERIFIED ONLINE TRAVEL AND TOURS AGENCIES offering suspiciously cheap or “too good to be true” travel packages.

Our office has received multiple complaints involving fraudulent online travel agencies using falsified DOT Accreditation Certificates and fake Local Government Unit (LGU) Business Permits to scam unsuspecting travelers.

We strongly urge affected individuals to file a formal complaint with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) to ensure proper action against these illegal activities:

Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC)
Email: [email protected]
Hotline: 1326
Report Online: https://cicc.gov.ph/report/

Furthermore, DOT Region VI encourages all visitors to patronize only DOT-accredited establishments to ensure safe, secure, and quality tourism services. Please scan the QR code below or visit DOT platforms to verify accreditation.

For verification and assistance, you may contact:
Tourist Assistance Hotline: 151-TOUR (151-8687)
Mobile: +63 954-253-3215
Email: [email protected]

Official Platforms:
• Department of Tourism page: https://www.facebook.com/DepartmentOfTourism

• DOT Region VI – Western Visayas: https://www.facebook.com/DOTR6WesternVisayas

• Philippines Travel Portal: https://philippines.travel/

• DOT Website: https://beta.tourism.gov.ph/

Let us all stay vigilant and ensure safe and enjoyable travel experiences.

For everyone’s guidance.

June in Western Visayas is filled with festive energy as different provinces celebrate traditions that reflect their culture and identity 🎭✨

From street celebrations to interactive activities and gatherings, these festivals and events highlight the region’s colorful heritage and the spirit of unity among its people.

The Philippines celebrates Pride Month to honor the LGBTQIA+ community, recognize important historical milestones, and continue advocating for equality and inclusion. 🌈✨

Pride Month is a reminder of the courage, resilience, and voices of those who continue to fight for love, acceptance, and human rights. It is a time to embrace diversity, promote respect, and create safe spaces where everyone is free to be their authentic selves. 💖

June is celebrated as Philippine Environment Month through Presidential Proclamation No. 237 to promote environmental awareness and encourage Filipinos to take part in protecting and preserving the country’s natural resources. 🌿🌏

This month serves as a reminder that caring for the environment is a shared responsibility. Through simple yet meaningful actions like reducing waste, conserving energy, planting trees, and practicing sustainable habits, we can all contribute to a cleaner, greener, and healthier future for generations to come.

The shores of Belison, Antique come alive with celebration as the Biray Festival takes place from May 29 to June 1, 2026 ✨🎉

Centered on the theme “Biray sa Pag Ugwad, Isara ka Pagtuo, Isara ka Pamilya nga Belisongnon,” the festival highlights the strong faith and cultural identity of the Belisongnon community. Held at the Poblacion Beach Front, the festivities feature vibrant boat decoration displays, traditional boat races, body painting contests, dance presentations, Festival Queen competitions, and exciting indigenous games that bring energy and color to the celebration.

Biray Festival reflects the rich coastal traditions of Belison and serves as a joyful expression of its people. 🌊💙

Hospitality Rooted in Culture, Excellence Driven by Passion

In line with the continuous pursuit of elevating the quality of tourism service in the country, the Department of Tourism successfully conducted the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) Training on May 26–27, 2026 in the Municipality of Nabas, Aklan in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Nabas through its Municipal Tourism Office.

The two-day training gathered tourism stakeholders and members of the transport sector of Nabas in a meaningful learning experience focused on strengthening the culture of Filipino hospitality, professionalism, and service excellence. As one of the emerging tourism gateways in Aklan, Municipality of Nabas continues to play a vital role in creating positive and memorable visitor experiences. Through this training, participants were empowered to better understand the importance of excellent customer service, proper communication, professionalism in every interaction with guests and travelers.

Led by Dr. Felix Delos Santos Jr. as Resource Speaker, the sessions provided valuable insights, practical applications, and inspiring discussions that encouraged participants to become true ambassadors of Filipino service excellence in their respective sectors and communities. The active participation and enthusiasm of the attendees demonstrated the community’s dedication to uplifting the standards of tourism service in Municipality of Nabas.

Together, let us continue to showcase the best of the Philippines through service that comes from the heart — creating meaningful experiences that travelers will always remember.

#𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀

𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙣𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙤𝙣, 𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚 – The Department of Tourism–Western Visayas, in partnership with the Municipal Government of Patnongon and in coordination with the Provincial Government of Antique, successfully organized the Orientation on Business Indicators in the Tourism Industry on May 19, 2026 at Casa Tribunal.

Aiming to continuously capacitate its tourism partners from both the private and public sectors in using the recommended standard recording templates under the Standard Local Tourism Statistics System, DOTVI convened representatives from 34 accommodation establishments, tourist attractions, MICE facilities, and tourism office personnel from the municipalities of Patnongon, Belison, and Bugasong.

To warmly welcome the participants from different municipalities, Hon. Vanessa S. Rañola, Sangguniang Bayan Member and Chairperson of the Committee on Tourism of the Municipal Government of Patnongon, represented Mayor Johnnyflores S. Bacongallo in delivering a message highlighting the importance of arrival data in the municipality’s growing tourism industry.

Meanwhile, Mr. Celestino S. Dalumpines IV, the newly appointed Provincial Tourism Officer of the Province of Antique, also emphasized the importance of the regular monthly submission of reports as these serve as vital references in tourism planning, promotion, and development initiatives at the province level.

At the end of the activity, DOTVI was able to successfully secure the support and commitment of the participating stakeholders to share and submit their available tourism data through their local tourism offices after understanding the importance of their role in tourism development through tourism data generation.

If you’re planning to explore Western Visayas, don’t just chase the beaches and food, make time for its museums and galleries too! 🏛️✨

From history and heritage to art and culture, every museum and every gallery tells a story worth discovering. Add these cultural treasures to your Western Visayas itinerary and experience the region beyond the usual tourist spots.