Malacañang proclaimed Aug. 16 as a special non-working holiday to mark Kadayawan Festival.
“It is fitting and proper that the people of the City of Davao be given full opportunity to celebrate and fully participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” Proclamation No. 774, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, stated.
The holiday was requested by the Sangguniang Panlungsod in celebration of the Indigenous People’s Day.
The Davao City Tourism and Operations Office is expecting around 250,000 tourists for the upcoming Kadayawan Festival with a P75 million budget.
Among the highlights of the celebration are the tribal village, showcasing the culture and traditions of the city’s 11 tribes, the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan and Pamulak sa Kadayawan.
The other events include Hiyas sa Kadayawan pageant; Dula Kadayawan; Sayaw Kadayawan; Tunog Kadayawan; Kadayawan Dragon Boat Festival; Pitik Kadayawan drumbeating competition; and Mugna Kadayawan 2019, and on-the-spot wall art competition.
