DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio expects a bigger and grander Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival this year despite the implementation of martial law in Mindanao.
Duterte-Carpio, who led the 32nd Kadayawan celebration media launch on Monday, July 3, at Marco Polo Hotel, said that the martial law will not hinder the Kadayawan activities.
"Magpadayon gihapon ang atoang selebrasyon sa Kadayawan despite nga dunay declaration of martial law for Mindanao, dili man pwede na atong life will be put on hold because of problems because kung ingon ana we will never live (The celebration of Kadayawan will continue despite the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. Our lives cannot be put on hold because of problems because if we are like that we will never live)," she said.
The mayor said that she was glad that the private sector decided an earlier launch and announcements of Kadayawan activities.
"I think mas makaayo pud, makaandam ang security, makaandam ang bisita, makaandam ang organizer sa event (I think that it is better so that the security can prepare earlier, including the visitors, and organizers of the event)," she said.
She said security forces are already part of the planning and organizing of events as they are also part of all Kadayawan-related meetings.
"They know from the start every step of the way what will happen and then from then on, they will prepare the security arrangement for all the events of the entire Davao City," she said.
In Monday's media launch, 19 official events were slated from August 14 to 25.
Habi Kadayawan, Kadayawan Inspired professional fashion completion; Mugna Kadayawan, a Kadayawan inspired art competition; Kaondayawan, a food street entertainment with 60 food stalls; Pitik sa Kadayawan, a drum beating competition, which highlights the Indigenous people of Davao, were named are among the newest competitions to be introduced as additional events this year. The Kadayawan Village in Magsaysay Park will also be the festival's new installments.
Duterte-Carpio added that unlike last year wherein cultural presentations from 11 tribes were allowed, a mix of both cultural and popular events will be showcased this year.
Kadayawan 2017 spokesperson Generose Tecson added, "We are still putting everything together so in all probability it will be between P18 to P19 million for all of the activities that we have. Sa city, meron kaming budget na P4 million and meron ding savings from the past Kadayawan na 13 million, so in all probably that is what we are going to use."
As for the visitors, Tecson said that Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said she will bring 70 Russians to experience Kadayawan in August.
Tecson added that they are working so that August 19 will be declared a holiday for the Kadayawan celebration. (KVC)