The organizer of the 2011 Dinagyang Festival is looking forward to raise some P14 million to finance the staging of Iloilo’s world-class festival slated on January 21 to 23.Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. president Ramon Cua Locsin signed a memorandum of agreement yesterday with the city government represented by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Fr. Achilles Secio, OSA of the San Jose Parish Church.
The city government will shell out P6 million while the IDFI will raise the remaining amount, Locsin said.
City Tourism and Development Officer Benito Jimena said the amount from the city government will be used as subsidy for participating tribes amounting to some P4.8 million and prizes for the winners.
He added that Mabilog is also planning to extend a P500,000 worth of projects to the winning barangay or schools in the Ati-ati contest.
In his message, Locsin said the signing of the agreement “exemplifies continues commitment and strong public-private partnership.”
“Dinagyang has served as driving force for Ilonggos to work together to succeed,” he said.
Mabilog, meanwhile, hoped the festival will continue to produce results likewise for it to continue serving as a “model festival in the country and best practice for other cities to follow.”
“Eight years ago, Dinagyang was just a simple but colorful celebration. A festival that shows what Iloilo City is all about. After eight years, Dinagyang has transformed into what it is today, a premier world class festival,” he said.
Fr. Secio said the festival has “become a useful part of our life, being a fully alive people with faith.”
Secio expressed hope that the IDFI will continue to “promote camaraderie and the community as people of God and as independent body with faith.”*PNA
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