A total of P7.6 million in prizes will be handed out to the winners in this year’s culminating activities for the Kadayawan Festival.
Meanwhile, authorities reminded public again to refrain from carrying backpacks and jackets in line with the tightened security measures, especially at the major activity areas.
Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya hotel, Harold Quebete, the organizer of Indak -Indak sa Kadalanan, said all tents will be up on the evening of August 16 (240 x 80) at the San Pedro Square.
This is in preparation for the street dancing on Aug. 17. There are 18 contingents all in all, including 11 from Davao City, that will participate in the Indak-Indak. There will be three contingents for the Championship Circle, eight for school-based category, and seven provincial contingents.
“We have already reached as far as Sarangani province, Lupon, Mati, Maco, and Sultan Kudarat,” Quebete said.
“They are all prearranging for P7.6 million worth of prizes that will be given for Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan,” he said.
Wadab Babao, organizer of Pamulak Kadayawan, said as of yesterday (Aug. 14), they have a total of 41 floats and 13 more contingents for the Pitik Kadayawan, seven short of the expected 20 participants.
For the Pamulak festival, there are five contingents for the big category; 15 contingents for the small category, and nine contingents for other categories. There will also be 12 non-competing contingents.
The grand prize winner for the big category is P800,000 .
He also said they have already coordinated with the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) for the safety and security measures .
“We are also informed the provincial contingents to abide with the rules and regulations in the city in terms of the security,” Babao said.
There are three judging points for the Indak-Indak. First in the Marco Polo area where each contingent will perform for two minutes before proceeding to C.M. Reco Street. They will again perform near Apo View Hotel for another two minutes then turn left to Pelayo Street and another left turn going to Kadayawan square.
Capt. Maria Theresita Gaspan, the spokesperson of Davao City Police Office, reiterated that they will be strict in enforcing the “no backpack policy” and “no jacket policy.” Also, non-transparent large canisters will be confiscated upon entering the activity area.
She said there are no baggage counters at the activity areas because law enforcers are focused on security.
“We do not just focus on the event but all areas from inner, middle, to outer layer,” she said, adding that aerial, naval, and ground assets will be maximized to ensure security.
Around 6,000 PNP personnel, composed of augmentation from Police Regional Office XI, Police provincial offices, police auxiliary and other force multipliers, will be employed during the Indak-Indak and Pamulak.
Maj. Jason Baria, the spokesperson of PRO XI, said they will lock down on all entry points to the city, which will be considered the first layer of security. All police stations are on full alert status.
Capt Jerry Lamosao, the spokesperson of 10th Infantry Division, said elements of the 1003rd Infantry |Brigade and Task Force Davao are already deployed to provide additional support for the police.
“In the outskirt areas we are already conducting intensified checkpoints,” Lamosao said.
