Telecom firms reduce budget for Dinagyang 2009
The global financial crisis has tremendously affected the amount of sponsorships extended by the two giant telecommunication firms in the country to the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) for next year's Dinagyang Festival.
Globe Telecom, which used to be the top sponsor of the festival committed a cash sponsorship of only P750,000, said IDFI's marketing chair Francis De la Cruz.
Previously, Globe has given a cash sponsorship of P2 million to the foundation. The cash donations reduced by as much as P1,250,000.
De la Cruz added, Smart Communications committed P500,000 cash donation. However, apart from the cash donations, the company vowed to bring movie stars, sponsor concerts and participate during parades.
Smart extended cash donations of P1.2 million in 2008.
however, the decrease in the amount of cash donations from telecom firms did not dampen the spirits of the marketing group in reaching their P13 million budget for the 2009 Dinagyang.
The officials of the foundation will meet with officials of the two telecommunication companies to convince them of their additional support in making the affair more festive.
The foundation, likewise, is working hard to get additional sponsorships from companies that give cash donations of P100,000 to the foundation. The foundation finds it easier to collect the money.
Meanwhile, IDFI chair Lee Chuan is hoping that the city government will release immediately the P1.5 million to the foundation. The amount has yet to be released though the budget was already approved by the city council.