DAVAO CITY—Mayor Sara Duterte has created an executive committee for the 80th Araw ng Davao celebrations from March 16 to 19, to ensure the city government “could effectively carry out and implement fitting, meaningful, and memorable activities” for the event.
Through Executive Order No. 03, Duterte arranged the creation of the Executive Committee, which she will also head. But in her absence, because of her delicate pregnancy, it will be headed by the City Administrator, lawyer Zuleika Lopez.
Renato Gatchalian Jr., owner of Saging Repablik and president of the Davao Tourism Association, is this year’s private sector co-chairman of the committee.
Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte was named vice chairman, while the members include City Mayor’s Office Chief of Staff lawyer Raul Nadela Jr., City Tourism Officer Regina Rose Tecson, Assistant City Administrator for Administration lawyer Tristan Dwight Domingo, City Accountant Vingelina Bajan and Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre.
The Execom was tasked to plan and ensure the smooth coordination of the programs, events and activities for this year’s celebration, which also encourages greater participation from the private sector.
It is also tasked to find ways to support the effective implementation of the activities planned.
As in previous Araw ng Davao celebrations, funds for this year shall come from private sector sponsorships, together with appropriations from the City Tourism Office and the city government.
The mayor said she also wanted the event to be promoted both locally and internationally through various media outlets, to ensure optimal participation of visitors and tourists.
Tecson said the city remains safe for the celebration, nothing they have coordinated with the different security forces to work on any threats and to prevent them from entering the city.
Task Force Davao Commander Col. Erwin Bernard Neri said maximum deployment will be implemented for the upcoming celebration.
Neri said the city will remain on heightened alert to ensure the safety of the celebration.
