This hasn’t been a good year for Madrid Fusion Manila (MFM).
Early this year, it was announced that MFM would no longer be pushing through, with changes in government priorities cited as the main reason behind the cancellation of the supposed five-year contract. But just a few days after the announced cancellation, the Tourism Promotions Board released a statement saying MFM would still be a go—just at a later date.
But with the recent changing of hands at the Department of Tourism (DOT) came changes in the programs—for the good. DOT secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said in a press conference this week that MFM will ultimately no longer push through this year.
Romulo-Puyat cited lack of time in preparing for the event as the primary reason. “May bidding pa. Hindi pa nagsta-start ‘yung bidding. September dapat ang Madrid Fusion, it’s not enough time,” she said.
MFM 2018 was initially slated to happen from Sept. 25 to 29. Aside from the bidding problem, Romulo-Puyat also said finding a venue for the event would be an issue, as SMX Convention Center, which has been hosting MFM for the previous years, has already been booked.
MFM’s fourth installment will instead push through in 2019.
Read more:
What we’ll miss about Madrid Fusion Manila
They take it back: Madrid Fusion Manila will push through after all
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