MALACAÑANG has declared August 20, 2021 a special non-working holiday in Davao City in celebration of the Indigenous People's Day during the Kadayawan Festival.

In Proclamation 1108, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the Palace said, “it is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Davao be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.”

Malacañang, however, reminded Dabawenyos to observe the minimum health protocols, like social distancing, among others, during the celebration to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) head Generose Tecson said the 36th Kadayawan sa Dabaw will still be staged online, same as last year’s.

Tecson said in a virtual presser on Wednesday, August 4, the City Government scrapped the idea of a hybrid celebration due to the current Covid-19 situation in the city. She referred to "hybrid" celebrations as a mix of live and online activities.

"With our present community quarantine status and 'yun pong threat ng (with the threat of the) Delta variant, we have to go online again," Tecson said during the AFP-PNP Press Corps virtual presser.

The Kadayawan will formally open on August 20 and will end on August 22.

The online events include Tunog Kadayawan, Sayaw Kadayawan, Tribu Kadayawan, Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan, and Habi Kadayawan.

Tecson said establishments are allowed to conduct Kadayawan promos but they must comply with the minimum health protocols.