Malacañan Palace has declared Friday, August 19, 2022 as a special non-working holiday in Davao City.
Executive Secretary Victor D. Rodriguez signed Proclamation No. (PN) 39, by the authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., on August 15, 2022.
The proclamation states that Davao City will mark the celebration of Indigenous People’s Day in relation to the Kadayawan Festival.
“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Davao be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with the appropriate ceremonies, subject to the public health measures of the national government,” Proclamation No. 39 said.
With the Friday holiday, Dabawenyos can witness the Dula Kadayawan set from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the People’s Park. It will showcase Lumad and Moro games that aim to foster awareness and educate the 11 tribes’ younger generation and Dabawenyos in general on their traditional games and how these games are played.
The indigenous games also manifest the tribes’ daily way of life, from hunting to water fetching, rice threshing and winnowing, etc.
The 37th Kadayawan sa Davao officially opened on August 15 at the Bantawan Amphitheatre in Magsaysay Park. The Hiyas sa Kadayawan coronation night is set at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17, at the Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC) Petro Gazz Arena.
Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte urged residents and tourists to participate in the festivities.
He, however, reminded the public to continue observing the minimum public health standards (MPHS), such as face mask wearing and frequent handwashing.
A special treat awaits domestic and foreign tourists with a full-pack weekend, starting with the Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan on Saturday, August 20, from 7 a.m. to 12 noon, and Pamulak sa Kadayawan and Pitik sa Kadayawan on Sunday, August 21, from 6 a.m. to 12 noon. CIO
