ILOILO City – The Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc.’s (IFFI) non-accreditation with the city government won’t hamper its preparations for the Dinagyang Festival 2020, according to foundation president Atty. Joebert Peñaflorida. “Don’t be alarmed, we will find ways,” he said. The city government won’t be able to release financial subsidy to the IFFI due to non-accreditation.
“It is a question lang of properly channelling the city government’s funds,” said Peñaflorida.
The IFFI is looking at several options, he revealed, and one of these is for the city government to release Dinagyang funds directly to the recipients such as the participating tribes.
The city government will do the disbursing, said Peñaflorida.
Another option is for the IFFI to make as partner in organizing Dinagyang 2020 another civil society organization that is already accredited by the city government.
Mayor Jerry Treñas announced on Monday that the city government would be releasing P25-million assistance to the IFFI only to say the following day that it won’t happen due to accreditation issues.
“Ang bulk sina halos magakadto as subsidy sang mga tribes, sa mga premyo kag subsidy pa gid sa iban nga Dinagyang-related activities,” Peñaflorida said.
On Tuesday, the Sangguniang Panlungsod deferred taking action on the accreditation application of IFFI due to the latter’s lack of track record (at least one year as required by the Department of Interior and Local Government).
“We welcome that. Sa proseso, it is a matter of check and balance. The IFFI understands that as a new foundation indi kami pwde mangin recipient sang any cash subsidy from the government directly,” said Peñaflorida.
The IFFI, he added, will do its best to raise Dinagyang money through sponsorships.
On Sept. 16 during the launching of Dinagyang 2020, Treñas vowed to “bring the festival to its next level” with the IFFI as new partner.
Dinagyang Festival 2020’s theme was also unveiled: “Perfect Vision: Celebrating the Ilonggo Spirit in Honor of Senior Sto. Niño.”
The Dinagyang Festival started in 1967. A replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought from Cebu to the San Jose de Placer Church. The image was enthusiastically received by the Ilonggos who danced on the streets of Iloilo City.
The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI) used to be the city government’s partner in organizing the annual Dinagyang but in June this year Treñas announced a new foundation would be formed to manage the festival starting this January 2020.
IDFI got Treñas’ ire in January this year for not inviting him to the festival.
Treñas said that as an official of the city (he was the congressman then), he should have been invited and that the festival should have been spared from politics. He was then running against the incumbent mayor, Jose Espinosa III.
Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or merrymaking. The festival is Iloilo City’s version of the Ati-atihan celebrations widely observed not only in Panay Island but also in other parts of the country. It may not be as ancient as the one in Kalibo, Aklan but it is known more for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect the ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry of the Ilonggos./PN
