DAVAO CITY (PIA) --The local government of Davao City has strengthened its partnership with the private tourism sector for the holding of this year’s Kadayawan and other future major events in the city.

The heads of the Davao Tourism Association, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., and the Davao MICE board (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions Exhibitions Board) form part of the Kadayawan Executive Committee as the private sector representatives.

Davao Tourism Association, one of the oldest and largest group of private tourism establishments in Mindanao, will spearhead the private sector group in the Execom.

DATA will be represented by its current president Nicole Hao Bian Ledesma. The DCCII has president John Carlo Tria, represented by Cherry Al-ag, the chamber vice president for tourism, while MICE Board co-chair Gene Bangayan completes the private sector troika in the Execom.

Executive Order 12 series of 2023 signed by Mayor Sebastian Duterte created the executive committee for Kadayawan Festival, Pasko Fiesta, Araw ng Dabaw, and other significant events in the city.

The local government sector in the Execom is led by the City Mayor as the chair (in his absence the City Administrator), the vice chair is the Assistant City Administrator for operations.

Other members (government sector) include the Chief of Staff-City Mayor’s Office, the Chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Tourism and Beautification, representatives from the City Budget Office, City Tourism Operations Office, Human Resource Management Office, and the City Legal Office.

She said having an EO for an individual event would take time. Now the all encompassing EO will help them prepare ahead of time for the next event.

Romero noted that the setup of the Execom echoes the previous Davao Organizing Committee of the 2023 MICEC Convention which the City hosted early this year. The template enabled smooth collaboration and coordination with the government and the private sector in running the big-ticket tourism event.

Meanwhile, Romero bared they are targeting 150,000 to 200,000 tourists for this year’s Kadayawan Festival.

“Including businesses and conferences, lahat kasali na (all included),” Romero said.

They will be bringing back some events for the Kadayawan including Habi Kadayawan which was not held in last year’s festival.

Habi Kadayawan is a fashion accessories design competition inspired by the rich and diverse cultures of the 11 ethno-linguistic groups in Davao City.

“We are reviving Habi Kadayawan, the last Habi was in 2019, the rest we will have the same events the Pamulak and the Indak-Indak,” Romero said.

They will also be having Kasikas sa Kadayawan which is a variety show featuring songs, dances and other performances. (RGA/PIA Davao City)