OVER 5,000 indigenous peoples from various provinces are now in Davao City for their yearly exodus to celebrate the Yuletide Season.
The number is still expected to grow.
The lumads, onboard trucks and buses, have started arriving in the city last week for their annual Christmas caroling. Most of them are temporarily sheltered at Buhangin Gym in Davao City.
City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) Head Ma. Luisa Bermudo said the first batch that arrived was composed of 1,255 children, 47 pregnant women, five persons with disabilities and 72 senior citizens.
She said currently there are 2,874 lumad families or around 5,000 individuals now being hosted by the local government in seven shelters.
She added most of the lumads come from Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Agusan, Surigao, North Cotabato and Bukidnon while only few are coming from districts of Paquibato, Marilog and Calinan in Davao City.
The shelter areas are located at a riverside in Calinan, Bunawan, Buhangin, Agdao, Toril, Tugbok and Bankerohan.
The CSSDO, with the City Health Office, have provided social, health, and security services for the lumads. Bermudo clarified the city will only provide assistance to the lumads in the shelters from December 1 to 10, then, other assistance and activities for them will be brought to their respective communities from December 7 to 21.
“We already informed the lumads that our operations here in the city will only last until December 10. Our innovation is to bring Pasko Fiesta in Marilog and Paquibato areas starting December 7, Wednesday,” Bermudo told the media.
She added lumads from Davao City will be asked to return to their communities starting Tuesday, December 6, for them to enjoy the activities prepared for them while those who come from different areas will continue to receive services.
“We asked the Dabawenyos, since this is an annual event, to treat our lumad brothers and sisters nicely. Ma naa man o wala moy mahatag, tarunga lang jud ang pagtagad sa ila kay naa na sila diri para mag-enjoy (Whether you give them something or not, please treat them well since they are here to enjoy),” Bermudo said.
She added a product trade fair, children's party, parlor games for kids and adults, storytelling, puppet show, birth registration and mass wedding will be held in lumad communities of the city.
The activity is part of the city's Pasko Fiesta sa Dabaw celebration which opened Friday with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio leading the ceremonial lighting of the Davao City Hall and its surrounding areas.