THE City Government of Davao has identified 10 areas for the Pasko Fiesta sa Lumad (Indigenous People) for this year, an official said.
The Davao City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) head Maria Luisa Bermudo said based on their final meeting yesterday aside from the originally identified locations last year -- Barangay Colosas, Panyalum, Malabog in Paquibato District; Barangay Salumay, Upper Kibalang, Suwawan, and Marilog Proper in Marilog District -- three more areas, namely Upper Mapula, Paquibato District, Tambobong of Baguio District, and Salaysay under Marilog District have been identified for the location of Pasko Fiesta sa Lumad this year.
She said the events, in coordination with the datus, tribal leaders, deputy mayors, and barangay captains will start on December 7 to 20 this year in selected areas.
"Ang uban layo sa ila ang usa ka shelter or usa ka lugar, usahay layo kayo halos one day nila nga lakaw so nag-open ta (Others live far from the shelter or place, sometimes, it takes them almost one day to get there so we opened other areas)," she said.
Last 2016, under Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio's administration, the city government of Davao has brought services to the hinterland communities instead of having them to go down the central district of Davao City during the Christmas season.
In previous years, the IPs who came down from their communities get to stay in identified shelter areas as many of them go around the city to look for donations.