GOVERNMENT employees are encouraged to wear an Indigenous People (IP) inspired attire or accessories for the whole 37th celebration of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw.
In the 20th City Council of Davao 5th Regular Session, City Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre passed a resolution “Encouraging Government Employees In Davao City, as well as Employees Of The National Offices In Davao City To Wear An Indigenous People (Ip) - Inspired Attire Or Accessory In Line With The Celebration Of The 37th Kadayawan Sa Dabaw.”
Alejandre said in his resolution that this is to pay homage to the city's culture and tradition "through wearing an Indigenous People or IP - inspired attire or accessory is one way to show our appreciation to the eleven tribes of Davao City who comprise the city’s foundation of culture and tradition.”
“There is also a need to raise the level of awareness of our society in terms of our culture, especially among our youth. Hence, the wearing of an Indigenous People or IP-inspired attire or accessory will inculcate in the minds of the Dabawenyos to understand and appreciate the diversity of our city’s culture, traditions, and history,” Alejandre said.
Alejandre said the Indigenous People-inspired attire or accessory will be worn during the Kadayawan sa Dabaw, from August 15, 2022, to August 21, 2022, during office hours.
However, City Councilor Diosdado Mahipus Jr. raised some concerns with regards to the proper use of the IP traditional attire if there’s a consultation made upon resolving and if guidelines have been made pursuant to the existing City Ordinance of the IP Attire in 2017 authored by Former Councilor Bai Halila Sudagar.
“Because meron pala itong mga colors and signs na hindi dapat natin i-mix and match (there are colors and signs that we should not mix and match), we have to be consistent with the proper use,” Mahipus said.
Alejandre clarified that the existing IP Attire Ordinance does not cover public and private events that showcase any form of creativity or any inspired IP attire.
“However, the organizers and persons behind any cultural/native/ethnic inspired gathering and events are urged to exert earnest effort to be consistent with the traditional IP attire and give due respect to the significance of every color, cut, and design of the same in accordance with the IP culture and tradition of the concerned Indigenous Cultural Communities/IP used as inspiration for the theme of the event," The ordinance states.
Alejandre said if an employee wears authentic attire that's the only time that they have to secure a certification from the Office of Cultural and Community Affairs (OCCA).
Alejandre said this will also serve as a trial on how the employees will react to the previously proposed ordinance of mandatory wearing of IP attire of the government employees during the 4th Regular Session.
“We assure the body that there should be a massive consultation that we will be conducting together with the Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture, together with Ma’am Braga and IP Representative Councilor Mande,” Alejandre said. KSD