Pledges for Dinagyang '08 reach P9 M
Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) Executive Director Ben Jimena said the pledges for the 2008 Dinagyang festival reached to some P9 million. The foundation needs some P12.75 million to finance the entire celebration.
Jimena said the pledges they have received so far are from Globe Telecom, P2 million; Smart P1,250,000; Megaworld Corporation P1 million; Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Ace Durano P1 million and P1 million from the Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
The city government already released P1 million out of the P3 million financial support to the annual celebration in honor of Sr. Sto. Niño.
The other pledges are from DoT Western Visayas P100,000; E-PLDT Ventus P100,000; Pepsi-Cola P180,000; Coca-Cola P200,000; Teletech P300,000 and Emperador Brandy, San Miguel Corporation for P400,000.
Earlier, Mayor Jerry Treñas expressed concern over the financial state of the foundation in running this year's festival. He appealed for companies and private individuals to help this festival which has put Iloilo City in the tourism map, both in the national and international scene.
The festival started last November with a launching in one of the city's malls and it was followed by a “Pamukaw”. A launching was also made in Metro Manila to create awareness in the national level. The organizers are hoping to surpass last year's success with several innovations employed this year.
The highlights of the celebration will be on January 25-27, 2008.