DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 July) – This proposed budget for this year’s Kadayawan Festival will be P13 million, or P2-million less compared to last year, Art Boncato, co-chair of the festival’s organizing committee, said.
Boncato added the amount might be reduced further as Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio wanted a “simple and meaningful” Kadayawan celebration.
Half of the budget will be coming from the city government and the rest will be shouldered by its private partner, he said.
He added the month-long festivities will highlight the diverse culture of the city’s 10 tribes – Ata, Matigsalug, Ovu-Manuvu, Kalata-Djangan, Tagabawa, Tausog, Maguindanao, Maranao, Kagan, and Sama.
The tourism sector is expecting to surpass 150,000 tourist arrivals last year, with the attention the city is getting after the victory of President Rodrigo R.
DUterte and the availability of more flights.
“This is a good time not only for visitors of the festival but also those who want to come and invest. Davao is now a destination for tourism and other areas like investments,” Boncato said.
The major Kadayawan activities will take place between August 15 and August 21.
On the first day, there will be “’Kinabuhi (Life), A photo Exhibit”, Misa Pasalamat at the People’s Park while the opening ceremony will be held at 4p.m.
A Tribuhanong Pasundayag (Cultural Show) will be held on August 15 to 18 at 6 p.m. at the Rizal Park; Dula Kadayawan (Indigenous and Muslim Traditional Games) at the People’s Park, Hiyas sa Kadayawan Cultural Presentation at the Gaisano Mall of Davao on August 19;
Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan (Street Dancing Competition) from the Magsaysay Park to Rizal Park on August 20, and Pamulak sa Kadayawan (Floral Float Parade) from Magsaysay Park to Rizal Park and Pahalipay sa Kadayawan (Thanksgiving Show) at San Pedro Street.
Duterte-Carpio, who skipped his president-father’s first State of the Nation Address on Friday for health reasons, reported for work Saturday after taking a leave starting July 1.
(Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)