New guidelines for Pamulak float parade set

TO ENSURE the safety and orderliness of the Pamulak Float Parade, one of the highlights of this year's Kadayawan sa Dabaw festival, organizers have imposed stricter parade guidelines for participants.

Orly Escarilla, official spokesperson for the Kadayawan sa Dabaw 2012, told reporters Thursday that on top of the usual contest guidelines, Pamulak participants will no longer be allowed to use party poppers and any form of firecrackers, litter, wear sexy and revealing clothes, use foul language and anti-government sentiments; do acrobatic stunts; throw of candies, cigarettes, towels, fans, caps, or any form of promotional materials/giveaways that can distract the flow of the parade.

Lisette Marques, festival director of Duaw Dabaw Festival Foundation, said these restrictions were added to avoid a chaotic parade and to prevent possible crowd-control problem that they have experienced last year.

"Participation in the parade for the purpose of promoting certain candidates or political party in the coming election is strictly prohibited. Floats, banners, posters, streamers, and other materials that promote a certain candidate or political party will be confiscated, or if necessary, the participating group responsible for the act will be removed from the parade line," the revised guideline for Pamulak read.

Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio earlier said she encouraged visiting politicians to set aside their political plans during their stay in the city.

Meanwhile, organizers expressed confidence that the culminating activities will be successful as all preparations have all been put in place.

On Friday afternoon, all competing entries for the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan (street dancing) conducted a dry run on the platform where they will perform, fronting the Eagle Stage at the Rizal park along San Pedro Street.

"We already have conducted thorough consultations with all organizers to ensure that all activities will go as planned," Marques said.

The mayor said on Friday that she is satisfied with the performance of the steering committees in carrying out their individual task in organizing Mindanao's largest festival.

On Friday night, the first of the three main events of Kadayawan, the Hiyas sa Kadayawan finals, was held at the Davao City Recreational Center (DCRC).

Roland dela Rosa, chief of the Davao City Police Office, said in Thursday’s I-Speak forum at City Hall that all security measures to ensure the safety of the visitors and the performers were already put in place.

Dela Rosa said that as early as the first week of this month, the mayor has ordered the deployment of more cops to maintain peace and security during the Kadayawan season.

He said at least 2,000 cops will be deployed around the city.