DAVAO City Administrator Zuleika Lopez on Monday, November 13, said that this year's Pasko Fiesta budget is bigger compared to last year due to the increased prizes and additional events prepared by the city to be enjoyed by various sectors.
"Roughly the estimate is around P13 million, it is a little bit higher than the last year because of the activities that we have and then we also increased the prizes per activity wherein the instruction of the mayor is that no sector will be left behind," she said.
"Before, hindi tayo nagbigay ng mga consolation prizes, we just gave first, second and third. This time around we will give more consolation prizes. As much as possible we would like to encourage more participants to join para lahat masaya sa pasko," Lopez added.
She added that there will be activities for children, private sector, Indigenous People (IP), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), and for the senior citizen.
"As much as possible it is something that everybody should enjoy because, of course Pasko Fiesta sa Davao is para sa tanan, dili para lang sa selected individuals (Pasko Fiesta in Davao is for all and not just for selected inviduals)," she said.
She added that the proposed budget is for the consideration of the city mayor and they have already prepared all the programs and activities.
"As per instruction of Mayor Inday, the opening ceremonies will be on December 1. So if you noticed part of the Christmas decorations are solely being put up all over the city including some of the performers for the Pasko Fiesta," Lopez added.
In a previous interview, Lopez said that a 40-foot Christmas tree will be placed at Rizal Park in partnership with a light bulb company. She added that different parts of the city will also be simultaneously lighted during the Pasko Fiesta launch.