THE Kadayawan season is here. Sadly, due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), it will be a quiet one this year.
What is important is we remember why it is being celebrated.
“Kadayawan is a celebration of bountiful harvest and our indigenous peoples diri sa atoa siyudad sa Davao (here in Davao City),” Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio.
One way we can celebrate the festivity is by supporting our local farmers and businesses, especially those who are providing opportunities to the cultural communities in Davao City.
It can be recalled that amid Covid-19, some farmers from the cultural communities in the highlands of the city have come down to the city center to sell their produce. Despite the community quarantine, they continue to produce food for those living at the center. Sadly, they encounter multiple challenges in bringing the food here -- from logistics to the pricing of the produce. As a way of supporting our farmers who came from the cultural communities, let’s buy their products at the right price and avoid haggling too much. Whatever they earn, they invest it back to the farm and provide for their family.
It is also known that some micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been providing livelihood to some indigenous peoples. Some cultural communities have also been trained by non-government organizations and government organizations to value-add their produce and put up a small business. If you know any MSMEs that are helping cultural communities or those that have been established and operated by indigenous peoples, it would be great if we can support them too.
Supporting local is not only limited to those helping cultural communities or being operated by them. We must also support other MSMEs in the city while we can. During Kadayawan, some of these MSMEs are offering seasonal specials in a bid to attract buyers and clients amid the pandemic.
Let’s not forget to support our fruit vendors too. It is harvest season this time around where fruits are bountiful and the prices are low.
Amid the pandemic, one way we can help one another is by supporting our local businesses and farmers. Local businesses are not only providing for the needs of the owners but also for the people who work form them; hence, the need to support them. It is important that we also give our full support to our farmers as they have continued to produce food for us despite the pandemic.
Let us not simply celebrate Kadayawan this year. Let us also use it as a time to support the local businesses and the farmers in the city.