ILOILO City – After a week of hesitation, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) unanimously approved the accreditation application of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) as a civil society organization. The foundation will be managing the 2020 Dinagyang Festival and other festivals of the city.
Also, the legislative body passed another resolution authorizing Mayor Jerry Treñas to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with IFFI for the staging of Dinagyang Festival 2020.
According to Councilor Eduardo Peñaredondo, they initially thought IFFI was required to submit minutes of its annual meeting in the preceding year certified by its Board Secretary as well as its accomplishment report for the year as required by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2019-72.
However, Peñaredondo said, it was eventually clarified that such requirements do not apply to the IFFI.
“The DILG memo actually says the requirements are ‘for existing civic society organizations’. IFFI, on the other hand, is newly organized thus it has no annual meeting report yet,” he explained.
Foundation president Atty. Joebert Peñaflorida, in behalf of the IFFI Board of Trustees, thanked the city council for the unanimous approval of the two resolutions.
“This being settled in a manner nga wala sang may nag-object, all systems go na ang Dinagyang 2020,” said Peñaflorida.
He also reiterated that the P25-million financial assistance of the city government for Dinagyang 2020 will be disbursed by the city itself, not the IFFI.
In tapping the IFFI to handle Dinagyang 2020, Mayor Treñas vowed to “bring the festival to its next level.”
Dinagyang Festival 2020’s theme is “Perfect Vision: Celebrating the Ilonggo Spirit in Honor of Senior Sto. Niño.”
IFFI has set the following Dinagyang 2020 activities:
* Iloilo Dinagyang Art Festival – Jan. 18 to 25
* Ilonggo Food Festival – Jan. 23 to 26
* Miss Iloilo 2020 – Jan. 24
* Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika – Jan. 24
* fluvial and solemn foot procession – Jan. 24
* Floats Parade of Lights – Jan. 24
* fireworks display – Jan. 24
* Dinagyang sa Calle Real – Jan. 25
* Festive Parade Sponsors Mardi Gras – Jan. 25
* religious sadsad – Jan. 25
* Dinagyang 360° – Jan. 26
Dinagyang Festival started in 1967. A replica of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought from Cebu to the San Jose de Placer Church. The image was enthusiastically received by the Ilonggos who danced on the streets of Iloilo City.
The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI) used to be the city government’s partner in organizing the annual Dinagyang but in June this year Treñas announced a new foundation would be formed to manage the festival starting this January 2020./PN
