Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said the success of the 32nd Kadayawan Festival could largely be credited to the efforts of the private sector, which led the preparation, organization and execution of the various events.
She also expressed gratitude to the Dabawenyos, particularly the 11 tribes of Davao. She said they were the reason why Kadayawan is being celebrated.
“I’m very happy and thankful the people had a good time and the festival was successful,” Mayor Inday said.
She said the city government took a secondary role as the private sector led the way, pushing forward its effort to make the Kadayawan a success.
“We believe that it would be better, and the celebration would be more significant and successful, if the private sector take the lead,” Mayor Inday said.
The Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII), led by its president Ronald Go, co-chaired this year’s festivities.
Go told reporters that the staging of the Kadayawan “show(ed) to the Philippines and the world what is truly happening in Davao and dispel talks about Davao being an unsafe city because of martial law.”
Mayor Inday herself asked Dabawenyos to go out and experience Kadayawan amid things happening outside the city.
“We will surmount any challenge as we always have; we will not allow our fears to cripple us,” she said. CIO
