Davao City—The City Government of Davao will deploy four buses for a “Libreng Sakay sa Kadayawan” to cater the people who would like to join the activities of the 33rd Kadayawan Festival. The libreng sakay started Tuesday, Aug. 14, and runs until Aug. 28, traveling from SM Lanang to SM Ecoland this city.
City Transport and Traffic Management Office head Dionisio Abude said they have identified a mall to mall route for the free ride since most of the activities will be held in the malls.
“What the people need to do is just to wait in the designated 16 bus stops from SM Lanang to SM Ecoland. This will be very convenient for the commuters,” Abude said.
The 16 designated bus stops are SM Lanang, Abreeza, Victoria Plaza, Gaisano Mall, Magsaysay Park, Ateneo Roxas, People’s Park, Back of the City hall, St. John Paul II College and SM Ecoland.
The bus will run as early as 7 in the morning until 11 in the evening to accommodate the Davaoeños and the tourists as well.
City Tourism Officer Gene Rose Tecson said the free rides will attract more tourists to visit the city during the Kadayawan festival.
“Transport system is very vital for a tourist destination. With this four buses, it will give a good impression to the tourists that the city has a good transport system,” Tecson said.
The four buses are equipped with CCTV cameras, Wi-Fi and GPS to ensure the safety of the passengers.
Meanwhile, as one of the Platinum sponsors of Davao City’s 33rd Kadayawan Festival, Philippine Airlines is flying in a couple of crowd-drawing entertainers to perform at a free concert during the culmination of the weeklong celebration.
A PAL Night to be held at the city’s Kadayawan Square on August 19 will feature the multi-awarded Filipino band UDD (Up Dharma Down) and GMA Network’s popular actress-dancer Andrea Torres. A local band will be joining them on stage.
Dozens of unique giveaways and game prizes from PAL and affiliate companies will surprise attendees of the concert that starts 6 pm.
In the morning of Aug. 19, an eagle and airplane-shaped float will represent the flag carrier in the float parade around the city’s main streets.
The eagle in the float symbolizes “Sinag”, a two-year-old Philippine eagle – currently cared for by the Philippine Eagle Foundation – that was adopted by PAL through the PAL Foundation.
PAL also participated at the recent Hiyas ng Kadayawan beauty pageant by awarding two Business Class tickets (Davao to Kuala Lumpur via Manila) to two winners – Hiyas ng Maranao (who was picked as Miss Philippine Airlines) and Hiyas ng Kadayawan. One of the pageant judges, Pinky Pineda, is a PAL Davao sales manager.
PAL has established Davao International Airport as a domestic hub and has stepped up promotions of Davao as a prime tourism destination. PAL operates six domestic flights out of the PAL Davao hub – to Manila, Cebu, Clark, Tagbilaran, Siargao and Zamboanga.
PAL will make its presence felt at the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines’ 2nd Regional Travel Fair to be held Aug. 17-18 at SM Lanang, Davao, which coincides with the Kadayawan festivities.
