All systems go for Dinagyang 2008 — Treñas
With five days left before the higlights of the Dinagyang Festival 2008, the city government along with the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) assured their readiness for the big event.
City Mayor Jerry Treñas said it's “all systems go” the Dinagyang Festival, the city's biggest annual celebration. The issue over the alleged plan of some participating tribes to “boycott” the Dinagyang contest has already been addressed, said Treñas.
Treñas earlier warned of extreme action against any tribe who would place the city in humiliation and embarrassment during the Dinagyang competition.
The managers of the four tribes that did not get subsidy from the city government had dispelled rumors about their alleged plan to sabotage the competition.
As early as 2006, the foundation ruled that only the top 15 tribes would receive subsidy.
Treñas said, all the information on any kind of threat, from the tribes or any person, to interrupt the peace and order during the festival should not be taken for granted.
The mayor added that pranksters who make phone calls concerning a bomb threat should be careful as necessary actions would be taken against them.
Meanwhile, IDFI executive director Ben Jimena said 16 of the 20 competing tribes have submitted their uniforms for display purposes. The four tribes, which he did not mention, still lack the spears as part of the warrior get up.
Nevertheless, they are expecting the four remaining tribes to provide the foundation with their complete uniform set. They are trying to rush up with their costumes and props before the contest proper.
Moreover, hotels in the city are fully booked. The foundation is trying to initiate contact with out of town resorts to accommodate tourists who want to witness the yearly festival in honor of Señor Sto. Niño, said Jimena.