AFTER the passage by the Senate of a bill seeking to rename Compostela Valley province to Davao de Oro in December, the provincial government is now gearing for the Bulawan Festival which will also be the launching of the “Yes to Davao de Oro campaign”.
Christine Dompor, tourism and investment officer of Compostela Valley, said during a press briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel Wednesday that on March 3, which is the grand opening ceremony of the festival, they will also highlight their campaign for the upcoming plebiscite to entice the people of ComVal to say yes for its renaming.
“It’s Yes to Davao de Oro campaign for six days. In fact we are designing the festival to really feel kasi ang pangalan ng festival is Bulawan, thematic na sa bagong pangalan na Davao de Oro,” Dompor said.
Among the provinces in Davao region, only Compostela Valley does not have "Davao" in its name unlike Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental which bear the name “Davao”.
Thus, they are pushing to change the name of the province to have a sense of belongingness and grab the opportunity with the spotlight pointed at Davao Region.
“Sa panahon ngayon that everybody is looking to Davao region and all investments lead to Davao region, parang sa part ni Compostela Valley parang kami yong hindi belong kasi kami lang yong walang pangalang Davao,” Dompor said.
The plebiscite will be scheduled for August this year.
Dompor said having to change one’s address is a minimal concern compared to the vast opportunities that will come with the renaming of the province.