DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Organizers of this year’s Kadayawan Festival eyes “biggest Kadayawan Festival ever” with its budget of up to P44 million.
In its P44 million Kadayawan Festival budget, P12 million will be provided by the city government intended for the cash prizes and the food for the security personnel. The private sector will raise the remaining P32 million.
In her speech, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said that this year the city government is giving the private sector a “bigger latitude” in its role in staging Kadayawan events.
“The City Government feels that this move will allow for better ideas that will bring about a more festive and colorful festival that will reach people both locally and internationally,” said Mayor Sara.
City Tourism Office head Generose Tecson said during the media launch on Monday at the Marco Polo Davao that they hope to get more foreign visitors to witness the festival this August. The City Tourism is eyeing a total of 200,000 tourists for Kadayawan 2018, way higher than last years tourist arrival of 185,000 based on occupancy report of the hotels, inns, and other accommodation establishments in the city.
As this years Kadayawan is targeting the “biggest Kadayawan Festival ever” organizers bared new events such as the Kadayawan Ball, Kosplay Kadayawan, Kadayawan Farmers’ Market, and Kadayawan Village Walking Tour, Pitik Kadayawan Drumbeating Contest; Habi Kadayawan Fashion Accessories Design competition; Mugna Kadayawan Doodling Contest; Dragon Boat Festival; Sayaw Kadayawan; and Tunog Kadayawan songwriting competition.
This is aside from the usual Kadayawan highlights – Indak Indak sa Kadayawan, Pamulak sa Kadayawan, and Hiyas sa Kadayawan.
This year, Indak Indak sa Kadayawan will receive an additional P500,000 on top of the P750,000 if they generate a score of 95 percent or higher. Aside from the official trophy, winning team members will also receive an official Kadayawan medal.
The Hiyas sa Kadayawan will also be happening early than last year “to determine the ambassadress of Kadayawan” said festival director Gatchi Gatchalian.
The City Government will also be refurbishing the Kadayawan Village with more engagement to tourist and visitors as it highlights the Kadayawan Village Walking Tour in 11 tribe’s houses.
Mayor Sara said that Kadayawan is “serves as a reminder to always go back to the roots and history” and also a journey to where the city is founded on virtues of respect, tolerance, acceptance, and solidarity.
The Mayor also said that just like the past Kadayawan celebration, no invitation has been released for politicians and other VIP’s but everyone is welcome to visit and witness the events.
When asked about the concern of peace and security for this year’s Kadayawan Festival, the mayor said that the authorities have a tight monitoring of various threats in the City.
The Mayor said that during the recent City Peace and Order Council Meeting, two groups(Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter and an ISIS-inspired group) has been identified by authorities to have plans in making a statement. But the mayor assured the public that the authorities are making an extra effort for peace and order concerns.
“Both the Armed Forces and the Police is coordinating with each other based on gathered intel reports,” Mayor Sara said.
Mayor Sara also urged the public to coordinate with local authorities especially for peace and security concerns ” so that our security forces can do something about it before anything can happen.” (davaotoday.com)
