THE major highlights of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival reel off on Saturday and Sunday, August 19 and 20, and this gives Dabawenyos more impetus to ensure that the city is safe for everyone and that the grand celebration will be brought to a close with but happy memories to remember it by.
We have witnessed well-organized activities, so far, and people are enjoying everything that is offered, that is a good sign.
Hotels are fully booked, and visitor arrivals have spiked. That, too, is very good.
All we need to do is to keep the peace, watch out for each other's back and cooperate with authorities.
Those studying how to secure public spaces amid the growing and variegated terrorist threats in the world from suicide bombers to van drivers just smashing into people as what has happened in Barcelona, Spain, have coined the three-step approach: See it. Say it. Sorted.
Where the public is told: "If you see something that doesn’t look right, speak to the police (or in our case, Central 911). We’ll sort it."
While it is close to impossible to completely protect public spaces from those who have plotted to do harm, a public space becomes less attractive to attackers where there are police presence and vigilant people.
We have at our disposal the Central 911, just dial the number, and you can be assured that your concern will be attended to. Thus, our appeal to those who have nothing better to do, do not even think of making prank calls to this number. You are not only causing inconvenience, you can place the whole city in danger. Respect that number for the service it has been giving us in all types of emergencies and needs for assistance.
Through the years, those who have sought the help of 911 has only positive words about this dedicated group, let us make sure that they can do their jobs well by not bothering them with prank calls and regarding them as a key partner of our communities and our people.
We're all in this together to make our Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival a success. Again: "If you see something that doesn’t look right, speak to the police (or in our case, Central 911)."