Foundation proposes incentives for tribes in 2006 Dinagyang

The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI) has earmarked 9-10 million pesos budget for the Dinagyang Festival 2006, increasing it by 1 million from last year’s.

Festival Executive Director Ben Jimena said that the 1 million increase from last year’s festival budget which was 8 million, will mainly go to the incentives or financial assistance for Ati tribes and the Kasadyahan tribes, in accordance with the approved operational guidelines set by the Executive Committee.

The IDFI has allotted 2 million pesos as financial assistance or incentives for 20 Ati tribes and 720,000 for the 12 Kasadyahan tribes.

Eleven tribes identified will each receive 150,000 pesos as full financial assistance, 2 tribes will receive 50 percent, 4 tribes will receive 25 percent and 3 tribes, 10 percent, with 5,000 pesos allocated for meetings. Six tribes for Kasadyahan will each receive 75,000 pesos, while 6 tribes will receive 50,000 pesos.

The IDFI has allocated 1 million pesos for cash prizes and special awards, trophies and tokens and other prizes which may be determined later.

To be qualified for full assistance, the participating group must meet the following criteria: a) must have been officially registered with an approved application, completely filled up, duly endorsed by the Chair of the Tribes Committee and signed conforme by the group owner or manager; b) must have joined the competition for the last three years immediately preceding the contest; c) must be ranked within the top ten of the previous year’s contest; d) must have been a participant of good standing without any violation of the festival rules; e) the tribe owner/manager must have signed a contract of participation with the foundation.

Partial financial assistance may be given to the other officially registered groups.  For those within last year’s top ten but has joined the contest for the last two years only, will be given 50 percent, and those who have joined the contest only last year, will have 25 percent.

Those who ranked 11 an 12, but has joined the contest for the last three years will receive 50 percent; those who have joined the contest for the last two years will have 25 percent; those who have joined the contest last year, 10 percent.

The IDFI said that new entrants may get financial assistance of 10 percent or 20,000 pesos, whichever is lower. The Foundation reserves the right to change any or all provision/s of the guideline without prior notice and the right to revoke the privilege of a participant to an incentive. (PIA 6)