THE Malacañan Palace officially declared March 3, 2023 as a special non-working holiday in Davao City for the celebration of the 86th Araw ng Dabaw.

It was announced on Tuesday, February 14 through Proclamation No. 159, signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday.

“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,” Marcos said in the proclamation.

Last week, Davao City Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr. said the city council submitted a resolution earlier this year requesting Malacañang to declare March 3 a special non-working holiday.

The month-long Araw ng Dabaw celebration will start on march 1 with the Misa Pasasalamat at San Pedro Cathedral and will end on March 18 with the Bands Clash competition at San Pedro Square.

This is the return of the face-to-face celebration of Araw ng Dabaw since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Some of the major activities included are Mutya ng Dabaw, Parada Dabwenyo, and Araw ng Dabaw Music and Arts Festival. ICM