It’s now official.
City government employees must wear Indigenous Peoples (IPs) clothing every first Monday of the month.
The ordinance requiring the IP dress code was approved on third and final reading on Tuesday by the City Council.
Authored by Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, the proposed ordinance or “An Ordinance Requiring City Government Employees To Wear An Indigenous People and Moro Inspired Attire and/or Accessories Every First Monday of the Month To Celebrate Our Local Culture” sprang up following Vice President Sara Duterte’s grand entrance wearing a traditional Bagobo-Tagabawa ensemble during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) wherein many praised her for promoting Davao City’s culture, however, there were others who have called out what she wore and called it a “cosplay”.
“Na aprubahan na sa third and final reading ang katong akong proposed ordinance na requiring city government employees to wear an IP attire and Moro inspired attire or accessories every first Monday of the month to celebrate our local culture. Nalipay kaayo ko for this ordinance kay atoang matabangan ang atoang mga IP or the 11 tribes of Davao City to promote their culture sa ilahang lugar at the same time atoang mapasegarbo ug matagaan ug business opportunity ug livelihood ang atoang mga IP through this ordinance,” Alejandre told Edge Davao.
Attached is the resolution urging national government agency offices in Davao City to wear IP and Moro-inspired attire or accessories.
Alejandre is hopeful that after 25 days this ordinance would officially take effect.
