The Iloilo City Government cannot give any amount to competing tribes that are not subsidized by the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI), Mayor Jerry Trenas said.

“We cannot give any financial assistance to these tribes. (But) IDFI is trying to find ways how to help them,” Trenas told reporters.

The non-subsidized tribes are Tribu Bantu, Tribu Hamili, Tribu Angola, and Tribu Himala.
Meanwhile, City Hall is donating a total of P3million to IDFI to ensure the success of Dinagyang Festival 2009 with highlights on Jan. 24-25.

A total 17 tribes is participating in the pageantry of Dinagyang 2009 edition but the IDFI has ruled that only the top 15 tribes based on Dinagyang 2008 ranking will receive subsidy.

The top 8 will get a “full subsidy” of P220,000 each. This is usually given to the top 10 but two tribes – Tribu ni San Pedro and Tribu Ivatan of Batanes – are not joining this year’s contest.

The top 8 are Tribu Paghidaet, Tribu Ilonganon, Ang Taga Jaro, Tribu Silak, Tribu Atub-Atub, Tribu Panagat (formerly Parianon), Tribu Pag-Asa, and Tribu Panaad.

Three tribes are entitled to “partial subsidy” of P165,000 each. This is given to tribes that landed in the top 11-15. These are Tribu Molave, Tribu Aninipay, and Tribu Milagrosa (formerly Baryohanon). Tribu Familia Sagrada was in the same class but it will not join this year’s Dinagyang contest.

Tribu Binhi has withdrawn because its tribe manager got ill, said Nena Magalona, chair of the IDFI publicity committee.

Newcomer Tribu Himal-us of Guimaras and come-backing hall of famer Tribu Bola-Bola of Iloilo National High School are competing for this year’s crown.

• 12 Tribes Register for Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2010