ILOILO CITY concluded on Sunday its annual Dinagyang Festival, an event that draws economic gains beyond the weekend festivities, according to the Iloilo Business Club (IBC). “It’s a poster event of Ilonggos,” said IBC Executive Director Maria Victoria Lea Lara. “The investments like hotels, business establishments, one of the reasons that they are here is really because of Dinagyang. The festival is multi-faceted. It’s about food, arts, performances, and sports,” she said. “It’s not just the tourism per se but in terms of the ancillary services from supplies for the costume, transport, and many more. A lot of second beneficiaries have gained,” she added. The IBC also noted that the private sector, which has been managing the festival since 2000, plays a year-round role in promoting the city as an investment destination. The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) has been in charge of organizing the event, with a budget this year of P34 million. IDFI Vice-President Ma. Luisa C. Segovia said whatever the foundation earns from stall rentals and ticket sales will be used for next year’s celebration. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

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