Mandatory vaccination for Kadayawan participants mulled

The Davao City Kadayawan Execom will discuss this week whether vaccination will be mandatory for participants of Kadayawan contests.

Kadayawan Execom Spokesperson Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre in an interview over Davao City Disaster Radio Monday said that he suggested that the body requires vaccination among participants, during its previous meeting, however, this item shall be tackled on Wednesday by the Execom.

“All participants, mandated na mag face mask, as of last Wednesday is sa among gina-raise is hopefully all of them are vaccinated. Makita man nato ang eagerness to be vaccinated. So we will tackle that this Wednesday (All the participants are already mandated to wear a face mask, as of last Wednesday, one of the points we raise is that hopefully all of them (participants) are vaccinated. We can also see their eagerness to be vaccinated. So we will tackle this on Wednesday),” Alejandre said.

He said that because there is no final direction yet on whether vaccination is mandated, the Kadayawan Execom is encouraging that all of the participants be vaccinated.

“Open paman gihapon ang atoang vaccination sites for them (Our vaccination sites are still open for them),” he added.

Alejandre stressed that this year’s 37th Kadayawan Festival is a much-awaited event after two years of virtual celebration and Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte and Vice-Mayor Jay Melchor Quitain Jr. are doing their best to make this event successful.

He said that the festivities will be conducted in accordance with the COVID-19 protocols.

City Administrator Atty. Francis Mark Layog told reporters during the Kadayawan Media Launch Friday, July 8, 2022 that the safety and security of tourists and Dabawenyos who will celebrate the Kadayawan festival amid the COVID-19 pandemic are assured.

Atty. Layog said, “Dayon gyud ang Kadayawan, mag-wait lang ta sa (The Kadayawan will take place, we will wait for the) alert level system from the national IATF for August. We are optimistic that the Kadayawan will continue as planned with all necessary precautions. The City Health Office (CHO) is also part of our sub-committee.”

He also said that security will remain strict as the city’s Security Cluster will ensure that everyone is safe and that there will be no threats to security.

Atty Layog said that Davao City is currently under the alert level 1 status, allowing fully operational and full capacity status in establishments. CIO