Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) head Angel Sumagaysay explained that limiting the audience in the San Pedro Square for the 2023 Indak Indak sa Kadayawan showdown was part of the safety assessment measures.
This is his response to the complaints circulating online from number of spectators who failed to watch the live performances due to strict implementation on allowing audience near the stage where the VIPs were seated.
“Naa gyud limitations, kung makita nimo ang area, gusto man nato i-accommodate ang tanan, wala man tay ginapili, again limitado ang space ug siyempre ato pud ng i-secure kay naa dinha ang atong mga performers, katong mga kinahanglanon aron suportahan ang pagpahigayon sa atoang activities, mga support personnel to sila na dili pud dapat madistorbo,” Sumagaysay said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Tuesday.
Sumagaysay added that limiting the number of people in the said area was also to avoid a stampede.
“Mao to nahimuan ug layout ug among gi assess na dapat lang pud, for once basin mag stampede ang atoang stage, so mas dako na problema kung pabayaan nato makasulod ang tanan unya at the end of the day naay mahitabo. So, part na siya sa safety assessment nga dapat kini ra gyud ang volume na tao ang puwede makasulod sa area,” he said.
He explained that individuals prioritized to seat in the bleachers in the performance area were the VIPs, pregnant women, children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“Kumbaga first come, first serve. Pero we have to assess the situation kay dili puwede nga nakalingkod ka tapos may naga tindog sa atubangan, useless siya and that is why gina-limit gyud nato nga katong ang nakauna didto na medyo dire derecho na ilang pagtan-aw sa mga activities,” he said.
Overall, Sumagaysay assessed the entire activities of the 38th Kadayawan sa Davao Festival as peaceful and no significant untoward incidence was reported.
“Natapos ang entire activities, official or accredited events, na very peaceful and normal. Walay mga siginifcant incidence na nahitabo during the celebration of the 38th Kadayawan sa Davao. Walay gihunong na performances tungod sa ulan. Nag cooperate pud ang panahon during Indak Indak and Pamulak,” he said.
