Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre passed a resolution encouraging the city government of Davao employees and national agency offices to wear Indigenous People’s (IP’s) inspired attire during office hours in the week-long celebration of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw from August 15, 2022, to August 21, 2022.
Titled “A Resolution Encouraging Government Employees in Davao City, As Well As Employees Of The National Offices In Davao City To Wear An Indigenous People (IP)-Inspired Attire Or Accessory In Line With The Celebration Of The 37th Kadayawan Sa Dabaw”, aims to pay homage to the culture and tradition as well as show appreciation to the eleven tribes of Davao City who comprise the city’s foundation of culture and tradition.
Alejandre mentioned in the resolution that there is also a need to raise the level of awareness of the society in terms of the culture, especially among the youth.
“Hence, the wearing of an Indigenous People or IP-inspired attire or accessory will inculcate in the minds of the Dabawenyos to understand and appreciate the diversity of our city’s culture, traditions, and history,” he said.
Alejandre resolved that the copies of the resolution will be furnished to the City Legal Office, City Administrator’s Office, City Tourism’s Office, regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT), City Mayor’s Office, City Vice Mayor’s Office, and all other offices/ departments concerned for information and guidance.
It can be recalled that Alejandre proposed an ordinance requiring city government employees to wear Indigenous Peoples (IPs) clothing every first Monday of the month.
Entitled an “Ordinance Requiring City Government Employees to Wear an Indigenous People Attire Every First Monday of the Month to Celebrate Local Culture” is still in the first reading at the 20th City Council.
His ordinance sprang up following Vice President Sara Duterte’s grand entrance wearing a traditional Bagobo-Tagabawa ensemble during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday wherein many praised her for promoting Davao City’s culture, however, there were others have called out what she wore and called it a “cosplay”.
He said the vice president wearing the tribal attire in the SONA must be a learning experience for all the Dabawenyos to learn the difference between cosplay and paying homage to the culture and tradition.
