The city government of Davao is awaiting a proclamation from Malacañang Palace on declaring August 19 (Friday) as a non-working holiday in Davao City on the occasion of the Kadayawan Festival.
“We are just waiting for Malacañang to give us a proclamation that August 19 is a non-working holiday,” said Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre who also serves as the 37th Kadayawan sa Davao spokesperson.
He said traditionally the citywide Kadayawan holiday is on the third Friday of August, which this year falls on August 19. However, it is not yet a law, so they have to wait for the Presidential proclamation which would officially declare August 19 as a holiday in Davao City.
Alejandre said there is no move to declare the following Monday (August 22) as a holiday.
“Isa lang ang pina-approve natin, Friday lang. We cannot ask for two holidays sa Malacanang,” Alejandre said.
The 37th Kadayawan Festival will be held on the third week of August (Aug. 15-21) and will be marked by festivities such as cultural performances, street dancing, floral float parade among many other activities.
Alejandre appealed to Dabawenyos to spend their long weekend celebrating the Kadayawan Festival instead of planning trips outside Davao City.
“Hopefully they can schedule their outside trips not on the Kadayawan because this is a comeback of our face-to-face celebrations, imagine wala siya for two years. Let your children experience the festival,” Alejandre said. (PIA RG Alama)
