DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- The 38th Kadayawan Festival was very peaceful and orderly, according to a City Hall official.
“Over all, natapos jud ang entire activities nato ma-official man siya o accredited events, ang result is very peaceful and normal so walay mga significant incidents na nahitabo during the celebration of Kadayawan (Overall, we finished the entire activities, official or accredited events the result is very peaceful and normal; there were no significant incidents that occurred during the celebration of the Kadayawan), said Public Safety and Security Office head Angel Sumagaysay.
Sumagaysay cited the cooperation and participation of Dabawenyos and visitors in the success of the festival
“Ang credit dili jud tanan sa security sector pero ang credit goes to all Dabawenyos nakicelebrate sa atoa, ang support sa local government ang cooperation sa bawat isa even sa iba’t ibang sector ang cooperation nila sa security ug safety clusters (The credit is not only for the security cluster, but the credit goes to all Dabawenyos who celebrated with us, the support to the local government, the cooperation of everyone in the various sectors, who cooperated with the safety and security cluster),” Sumagaysay said.
The PSSO head said they have to be strict to ensure that there would be no stampedes in San Pedro Square, the site of the main events of Kadayawan, particularly the main performance of the Indak Indak sa Kadayawan (Street Dancing Competitons), Pamulak sa Kadalanan (Floral Float Parade) and the various concerts during the festival.
Sumagaysay cited the limited space and their priority to secure the performers and essential personnel needed for the conduct of the event.
"Mao to nahimuan ug layout ug among g-assess na dapat lang pud otherwise basig mag stampede ang atong stage so mas dako na problema kung pabayaan nato makasulod ang tanan unya at the end of the day naay mahitabo (A layout was made and we assessed that we need to be strict otherwise there would be a stampede in the stage and it would be a problem if we allow all people to enter the area and at the end of the day something happens),” Sumagaysay said.
He said the bleachers in the area are not just for the VIPs but also were opened to PWDs (persons with disabilities), pregnant women, young children and senior citizens in a first come, first serve basis.
Sumagaysay estimated that 50,000 people came to the downtown streets to celebrate Indak-Indak on Saturday, Aug. 19, triple the number as compared to the Indak Indak in 2022.
“We expect that next year that number will increase,” Sumagaysay said.
Around 23,000 personnel to help secure the Kadayawan Festival this year. The second face-to-face staging of the festival after the pandemic. (RGA/PIA Davao City)
