IT is costing the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) $150 million to carry out its mandate for the year.

But Delroy Gordon, executive director of the State-run agency, says that a doubling of the allotment would see the commission being able to handle more of the programmes and activities on its plate. “This year we will close the celebrations within budget.

If our budget could be doubled, we could do at least 50 per cent more with activities and events. What you see in the seven days of celebration is the end product of a year’s work, because the festival programme commences at the end of September,” Gordon told reporters and editors at this week’s Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange.

“The budget comes directly from government subvention out of the Consolidated Fund, as well as appropriation in aid from the CHASE Fund and the Tourism Enhancement Fund,” Gordon explained.

“Most of the private sponsorship is in kind, not much in cash. I would say about 50 per cent of this budget is utilised to carry through the celebrations and stage the events over the seven-day period.”

Gordon said he was disappointed with the response from sponsors, especially as it relates to providing support for the training and development work carried out by the JCDC.

“Part of the thing I realise with the private sector is that they are more willing to sponsor at the back end, when we are doing the showcasing during the national celebrations, but in terms of pumping money at the development stage, that is where I have some concerns,” said Gordon.

He was supported by JCDC Chairman Aston Cooke, who believes that the work of the commission is not seen as attractive to potential sponsors.

“What it may not be is attractive to a sponsor. He may not see his product in the hills and valleys of Jamaica where these events are being held. There may not even be a place to hang his banner,” Cooke said.

Over the years, a number of JCDC events, including the Independence float parade, have had to be shelved despite their popularity, due to the fact that they have proved to be too costly. “The last float parade was held in 2008, I believe, but we have not been able to stage it since as it is a very costly venture. We simply have not been getting sufficient support,” Gordon said.

The JCDC’s slate of activities includes the annual festival of the performing arts, all activities surrounding the observance of Independence, Emancipation Day, National Heritage Week, the birth dates of Jamaica’s national heroes, and other scheduled events and commemorations.