DAVAO businessman James Gaisano donated some P6 million worth of Christmas decorations and lights to the City Government of Davao, according to a city official.

James Zimmerman, Davao City Hall Employees Association (Dachea) head, said everything that has been displayed at the City Hall and surroundings were all donated by Gaisano.

These decorations included the more than 700 rolling lights, coconut, maple and Sakura trees, among others.

He said even the 40-feet-tall Christmas tree with more or less 300 lights was also donated by the businessman.

“Ang city na ang tag-iya after ani (The city owns this after),” Zimmerman said in a chance interview during the Dan-ag Dabaw, the opening program for the Pasko Fiesta on Monday.

Zimmerman said the city is planning to set up more Christmas decorations in places where families converge during Christmas season, such as at the People’s Park.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, in his keynote message during the program, explained to his constituents that the city intends not to spend much on Christmas decorations and an extravagant opening ceremony for Pasko Fiesta in view of what happened in the provinces of Leyte and Samar which were struck by Typhoon Yolanda.

He said he is thankful for the generosity of Gaisano who initiated in donating Christmas items to the City Government.

Meanwhile, it is the City Government that pays for the electricity bills. (Arianne Caryl N. Casas)