THE 2014 Pasko Fiesta sa Dabaw executive committee (execom) is proposing a total budget of P9.6 million for the event, which is an increase of more than P5 million from last year's budget.
Pasko Fiesta sa Dabaw spokesperson Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, speaking in Thursday's I-Speak Media Forum at the Davao City Hall, said the increase in the budget was due to the additional events that they added in the celebration as requested by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
"We have added about five events this year. Last year, Mayor Rody wants to have a simple celebration because of the Typhoon Yolanda that we gave donations to the victims and for this year, Mayor Rody wants the people of Davao to really enjoy in our Pasko Fiesta event," Alejandre said.
He added that Mayor Duterte wants to have many events and prizes in lieu of not having a fireworks display.
"Mayor wants to really give the money to the people of Davao kay ingun niya kung magpabuto ta ug fireworks murag ato rang gisunog ang kwarta (Because he said that we are just like burning money when have fireworks display)," he said.
The new events entered are Tugtogan or the battle of the bands, Yugyugan sa Pasko, Pasko ng Empleyado, Lamdag Parada or the lighted floats and costumes parade and the Pahalipay ni Mayor Rody and Bise Mayor.
Alejandre added that Lamdag Parada prizes are P300,000 for the champion, P200, 000 for the runner-up, P100,000 for the third placer and two P50,000 consolation prizes.
He also said that they proposed a budget allocation of P1.5 million for decorations. Davao City Hall Employees Association head James Zimmerman's proposal to use LED lights as decoration was also approved.
The 2014 Pasko Fiesta sa Dabaw budgetm however, has yet to be approved by Mayor Duterte.