Dinagyang: One of MDGs ways to change the world
Dinagyang has added another feather to its cap when the festival was featured by Citynet, the Regional Network of Local Authorities for the Management of Human Settlements in its latest publication about Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) case studies from around the Asian Region.
The article on Dinagyang reports on mobilizing local resources to fund MDGs efforts: "The people of Iloilo City have demonstrated innovative leadership and community empowerment by incorporating their MDGs efforts into the Dinagyang Festival. Dinagyang has been a showcase of local Ilonggo religion and culture, celebrated through dance, drama, and devotion. The festival has also been used as an opportunity to promote the MDGs. Press releases and leaflets, parades and contests, even the Ms. Dinagyang Search, are all used to publicize the MDGs within the context of the festival. The project raises awareness and also builds local resources by attracting tourism."
Sometime in March 2007, the Dinagyang experience was submitted as best practice in an international conference on Localising the MDGs in Kathmandu, Nepal. Mr. Ben Jimena, executive director of the festival, made a presentation and submitted a case paper in the said conference. The inclusion of Dinagyang in its promotional booklet was a manifestation of Citynet's recognition and acceptance of the Iloilo initiative as one of the ways to change the world.
The article cites the MDGs commitment "to improving access to education, health care and clean water, as well as fighting poverty and hunger, gender inequality, environmental degradation, and HIV/AIDS" and how the governments of developing countries must implement the policies and allocate the budget necessary to achieve these Goals. It identifies good governance, accountability, and transparency as key factors in successful realization of the MDGs. It underscores the idea that "decentralization of these efforts to involve regional and local bodies will undoubtedly enhance progress and also allow for participatory monitoring by community stakeholders."
Under the heading, "Dinagyang Festival - Iloilo, Philippines", the feature articulates the government-private cooperation in the way the festival is run and recognizes such as a model on mobilizing local resources. It gives importance to generating funding at the local level to finance policies and program of local governments. While revenue from international agencies, the national government, and non-government bodies is necessary, municipalities and cities must also focus on raising funds locally. These efforts will serve to reinforce local accountability and increase demand for public goods and services as well.
The local fund-raising of Dinagyang and its resultant accountability work to promote quality in city services. The resources, used for local projects directly impacting the citizens, enhance public faith in local government. This in turn can facilitate an improvement in tax collection, as confidence in the allocation of local resources helps to generate greater incentive for the payment of taxes.
Aside from Iloilo City, there are two other cities in the Philippines -- Naga and Calbayog which participations in the MDGs have also been recognized. Naga was cited for localizing the Goals through empowerment of the local citizens and Calbayog for integrating these in the local plan.
Citynet, set up in 1987, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its inception this year. Beginning with just 24 members, the Network today has expanded its footprints to include 107 members representing the entire range of urban stakeholders. Its vision and work have grown in tandem with its reach and the impact of its programs is being felt across the Asia-Pacific region.
Iloilo City is one of the newest member-cities of the CITYNET and has been tapped as a resource city for the City-to-City cooperation. It has been invited to send participants in various conferences and capability-building trainings. It was featured as well in the August 2007 issue of the City Voice, the Network's newsletter.