IT'S all set for the Kadayawan 2009 as Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has signed executive order 13 convening the local government unit and the private sector for the festival in August.

"The city mayor has already signed executive order number 13, which creates the steering committee for the Kadayawan," Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz announced on the weekly television program Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa.

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The city mayor will be the chair for the Kadayawan this year, while businessman Lorenzo Te will be the co-chair representing the private sector. Vice mayor Sara Duterte will be the vice chair.

It is not clear, however, how much budget has been approved by the city mayor for the festival, as it was not mentioned by Dalodo-Ortiz.

In a previous interview, City Tourism Office chief Rizal Giovanni Aportadera said they are asking for a budget ranging from P9 million to P12 million for the week-long festival, which will kick off on the third week of August.

The Kadayawan is the biggest and grandest festival in Davao City, earning it the moniker "the festival of festivals."

"We have already prepared the groundwork, it's all prepared," Aportadera said.

As always, the highlight of the festivities will be the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan or street dancing and the grand floral float parade, together with the Lumadnong Kasaulugan and the Lumadnong Kagikan which focuses on the culture of the indigenous people of Davao City, showcasing their dances and songs.

The festival is also expected to draw one of the biggest numbers of tourists for the city this year. (Carlo P. Mallo)