73rd Araw ng Dabaw successful: officials73rd Araw ng Dabaw successful: officials
Source: Mindanao Times/ Fusilero , Kristianne
March 17, 2010

THE SEARING heat failed to dampen the mood of the participants as yesterday’s culmination
of the 73rd Araw ng Dabaw—the last under Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s term—drew a record number
of contingents.
Based on the record of the Parada Dabawenyo Committee, 237 groups joined the traditional
street parade, up  at least a quarter from last year’s 186 contingents.  The parade started
around 8 a.m. at Magsaysay Park, through the thoroughfares and ended at the Rizal Park
around 2:30 p.m.
“It is the biggest number of contingents who joined the parade ever since Araw ng Dabaw
started,” said Reynan Librado, a member of the committee, who recognized the active
participation of the academe and private sectors to made it a grand event even with a
budget cut.
The city’s budget this year was half the amount compared to the P6 million funding alloted
in 2009, city tourism officer Rizal Giovanni Aportadera told the Times, following a
directive from Duterte to make the festivities more simple.
With a smaller purse, the organizers decided to also cut the usual week-long celebration
into three days.
“Despite that it is the last term of Mayor to celebrate Araw ng Dabaw, he did not just want
to spend more this year. It is because he did not just want the government to allocate more
funds just for fun since there are a lot of problems that the city faced this time,” Vice
Mayor Sara Duterte said.
The vice mayor also expressed her gratitude for the contribution of the private sector for
the success of the foundation day.
“Now, there are more groups who joined the parade and there are also more spectators, this
is the biggest parade of the Araw ng Dabaw,” the younger Duterte said.
While the parade was going on, some hungry spectators made a beeline for the lugaw
(congees) served at the back of the Rizal Park stage. The food is offered for free by the
city government expecting the parade to last past lunchtime.
As was the custom, politicians also flew in to celebrate with Davaoeños although, except
for Senator Jamby Madrigal, the presidentiables were noticeably absent. Madrigal, however,
will also seek audience with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, indigenous peoples and her supporters
while in the city.
“Nagpapakita na ako lang ang nagmamalasakit sa Mindanao (I’m just showing my concern for
Mindanao),” she said.
Among the senatorial bets who came were Ruffy Biazon, Alex Lacson, Juan Romeo Nereus
Olaivar Acosta, Ramon Guico, Silvestre Bello, Jr., Ralph Recto, Ramon Revilla Jr., Risa
Hontiveros, Pia Cayetano, Liza Masa and Satur Ocampo.
Sr. Supt. Rene Espera, chief of Davao City Police Office, said the celebration ended
without a major incident which he attributed to the joint operation of the police and the
Army, which both deployed nearly 2,000 to secure the safety of the participants, residents
and tourists.
“It is good that the weather is also cooperative. The whole environment during the event is
peaceful so far,” Espera said. There were only minor incidents, however, such as having
reported lost kids during the event.
However, reports reaching the Times revealed that an Australian national lost about P30,000
cash yesterday morning and a suspected thief allegedly took 22 pieces of t-shirts and hid
it inside his big pants at a shopping mall before he was apprehended by the authorities.
(With reports by: Emilord Castromayor and Nef Luczon)
d Nef Luczon)