DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The sixteen-day celebration of the 82nd Araw ng Davao concluded successfully on Saturday, March 16, with the Parada Dabawenyo that was joined by thousands of participants.
“I can see that love of the Dabawenyos for our city is getting bigger and stronger as well as the support of the non-Dabawenyos,“ Mayor Sara said.
A total of 447 contingents joined last Saturday’s Parada Dabawenyo composed of groups coming from government line agencies, city government offices, local and national organizations, and different levels of schools in the city.
The parade started at exactly 6:00 in the morning in Roxas Avenue and ended before 12 noon. Contingents showcased their floats, waved their flaglets, made noises from their vehicles, and showed their best band performances in the streets of Davao City.
Providing safety and security to merrymakers, organizers and the various contingents was a success, the security sector of the city government concluded.
In an assessment, Col. Nolasco Mempin, the new commander of Task Force Davao said no untoward incidents were recorded during the celebration.
The security sector has been in full force during the series of events, conducting monitoring activities and providing security measures to ensure the safety of the public, Mempin added.
He described the whole celebration of the 82nd Araw ng Dabaw as “generally peaceful” as they did not monitor any problem or other concerns on safety and security.
“We have maintained our alertness to see to it that everyone will be safe,” Mempin said.
Earlier, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) chief Director Alexander Tagum said the celebration was peaceful and orderly due to their strict and tightened implementation of security protocols in all events and activities during the Araw ng Davao.
On the culmination day on Saturday, DCPO has established its own assistance desk in San Pedro Street to cater to the concerns of the people while watching the parade.
“Because we see that police information is strategic, this will be done regularly in all activities and events in the city” Tagum added.
He also told reporters that some visitors were intercepted for violating the “no backpack policy” during the celebration.
The backpacks were subjected to inspection, he added.
National figures, most from politics and show business also joined this year’s Araw ng Dabaw celebrations.
Seen in different events include senatorial bets of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), to include former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald Dela Rosa, Governor Imee Marcos, former journalist Jiggy Manicad and senators JV Ejercito and Sonny Angara Jr.
Mayor Sara said all senatorial candidates were not given time to speak during the program to give time to the recognition of all contingents that joined the parade.
Sara loved it because it was an opportunity for her political allies to campaign for free, at government expense.
Did you see the dozens of luxury buses with political banners in the parking area?
Every banner had the word ‘Duterte’ on it.