Dinagyang 2026 tribes to get PHP 2.3-M subsidy

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Competing tribes in the 2026 Dinagyang Festival will receive a record-high subsidy of PHP 2.3 million each, marking the first time the city’s assistance has exceeded the PHP 2-million mark.

Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) Executive Director Joyce Clavecillas said Friday that increasing the subsidy for the seven competing tribes has been a priority as the festival continues to scale up production quality each year.

“This is the first time that we have breached the PHP 2-million mark for the main tribes,” she said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency, noting that this year’s subsidy stood at PHP 1.8 million.

The Iloilo City government has allocated PHP 39.18 million for the 2026 edition, with more than half of the budget going to the subsidies.

A portion of the subsidy has already been released to the contingents, and the foundation hopes to release more within the month.

The seven official contingents for next year’s Dinagyang Tribes Competition are:

• Tribu Taga-Baryo – Barangay Barrio Obrero, Lapuz
• Tribu Ilonganon – Jalandoni Memorial High School
• Tribu Bulawanon sang Molo – Molo District
• Tribu Salognon – Jaro National High School
• Tribu Paghidaet – La Paz National High School
• Tribu Pan-ay – Fort San Pedro National High School
• Tribu Ilayanhon – Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School

Meanwhile, performers for Sadsad sa Calle Real will receive PHP 700,000 in assistance, supporting the grassroots street dancing event that highlights Iloilo’s cultural heritage.

Clavecillas said the remaining budget will cover cash prizes, logistics, and other festival requirements.

She added that IFFI is also working to secure private sponsorships to supplement the city’s allocation.

The foundation is finalizing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the city government and San Jose Placer Parish for the festival’s implementation. On November 12, the Sangguniang Panlungsod referred the MOA signing authority request to the Committee on Ways and Means for evaluation.

Dinagyang, celebrated annually every January with highlights on the fourth weekend, began its official 100-day countdown for the 2026 edition on October 22.