Davao allocates P2.2M for ‘Araw’ celebration

THE proposed budget for the 76th Araw ng Dabaw is P2.2 million, which is 73 percent lower than last year's allocation.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said bulk of the proposed budget will go to the Mutya ng Dabaw event with P965,500 or 42.3 percent of the total budget.

The City Government of Davao has also allocated P61,950 for the Hulagway sa Araw ng Dabaw; P197,360 for Datu Bago Awards; P420,311 for Parada Dabawenyo; P183,000 for the Sayaw Pinoy; P340,000 for Sayawan sa Da’n; P58,000 for Laban-labandz; P38,000 for Kanta Dabaw; and P17,300 for Davao then and Now.

Mayor Duterete-Carpio said the proposed budget is from the City Government only.

"Only selected events are in partnership with Duaw. Some we partner with other groups, ex. Datu Bago Foundation, etc.,” she said in a text message.

The mayor said the budget for each event will not be simultaneously released since it will be sourced out from different sources in the annual budget for 2013.

Duterte-Carpio did not attend the opening program on Monday.

"Mayor Sara wanted to join us in this opening ceremony as she never missed any opening program of the Araw ng Dabaw celebration. But with her present condition, she is currently indisposed but she would like to express to everyone her full support and in solidarity she is with us in the celebration in the 76th Araw ng Dabaw," Jason Magnaye, city tourism and investment officer, said during the program.

Magnaye was tasked to read Duterte-Carpio's message, which states that the city "remains to be resilient in surpassing the challenges in the past and that Dabawenyos dearly value the peace that prevails in the city."

This year's theme for Araw ng Dabaw is Kapayapaan.

"Peace that is demonstrated not just by the lack of discord or conflict, but the presence of unity and harmony," the mayor said in his message.

"As Dabawenyos, we are a peaceful people who value the importance of not just peace and order, but of peace within our hearts. This peace has enabled us to grow and succeed as proud sons and daughters of Davao City," she added.

Duterte-Carpio also said that the month-long celebration this year is set a week earlier to give everyone ample time to prepare. (ANC)