Kadayawan is a ‘holiday’

The 26th celebration of the Davao City’s Kadayawan Festival has gotten additional boosting from the national government with two proclamations aimed at enhancing this year’s festival.
The proclamations include a city-wide gun ban and a special holiday for the city both aimed at enhancing this year’s Kadayawan experience.
Philippine National Police Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome has issued a Gun Ban which suspended all Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFORs) for a period of one month in Davao City, effective August 1 to August 31 in time for the festival.
Under the ban, only the members of the PNP, the Armed Fores and other law-enforcement agencies performing official duties and in agency-prescribed uniforms will be allowed to carry weapons.
The gun ban was proposed by the City’s Peace and Order Council last month to ensure that the Kadayawan will be free from firearm-related incidents and the city will be made safe for the residents and tourists who will converge in the city.
The directive of the PNP Director-General includes the strict implementation of the policy through Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS), which includes the conduct of checkpoints, LOI SITA/Oplan Bakal, mobile/beat patrols and other police security operations in close coordination with the AFP, other law enforcement/government agencies and Local Government Units (LGUs).
Meanwhile Malacanang has released Proclamation No. 432 which declares August 17 as a special (Non-Working) day in Davao City.
The Proclamation gives full opportunity to the people of Davao City to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
Kadayawan is an annual festival in the city held every third week of August with main celebrations occurring in the third weekend of the month. This year’s Kadayawan will be on August 17-19. Main highlights include the famed Street Dancing (Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan) and the Floral Float Parade (Pamulak sa Kadayawan).
The City Tourism Operations Office is expecting 20,000 to 30,000 tourists to visit the City during the celebrations.