THE proposed implementation of the “No Jacket Policy” is not seen as a problem in the upcoming month-long Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival considering the city is under strict measures due to the ongoing martial law, according to the Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO).
“I don’t think it is a problem because we do it, especially in the airports. Pinapatanggal talaga siya. (Jackets are required to be removed),” CTOO head Generose Tecson said on Thursday, July 4, during the iSpeak media forum at the City Hall of Davao.
“Most people know na dito sa Davao City, mahigpit ang security... (there is tight security), and it’s for the good of the people naman. So how come that can be a problem?” Tecson added.
The proposed policy was revealed on Wednesday, July 3, by Task Force Davao (TF-Davao) commander Colonel Consolito Yecla.
Yecla said, under their proposal, a visitor or guest will be requested to remove their jacket to ensure that there’s no bomb vest hidden underneath. But after the inspection, the visitors can wear it again inside the activity area.
This came on the heels of the alleged suicide bombing in Indanan, Sulu bombing on Friday, June 28, wherein eight people were killed, including the two alleged suicide bombers. More than 20 were wounded.
This year’s Kadayawan celebration, which will officially kick off on August 2, will be the third year under the martial law implementation.
Tecson, in a previous report, said the city reached more than 200,000 tourists arrivals last year despite the implementation of martial law.
She said the city is targeting to reach 250,000 tourist arrivals this year.
She added that she is in favor of lifting the martial law in the city as it somehow affected the influx of tourist.
Previously, the city had strictly implemented a “No Backpack Policy”, which will also be strictly implemented in the upcoming Kadayawan festival.