Mayor Sara Sees More Exciting Davao City in 2019

Mayor Sara Duterte sees an exciting year for Davao City in 2019.

“I have to tell you 2019 will be an exciting year, not only it is an election year, but number one I endeavored to host DAVRAA again so that we can practice for the Palarong Pambansa,” the Mayor said in her speech at the Thanksgiving event of the 2018 Kadayawan sa Davao Festival held at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, here.

Apart from the hosting of the Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) which the city hosted last year, the 2019 Palarong Pambansa will also be held in Davao City.

“After DAVRAA we’ll have Ironman again then after Ironman we will have Palarong Pambansa then after Palarong Pambansa, actually hinindian ko na ito (I said no to it) but nag-request talaga mga organizers ( the organizers really requested it) the one-fourth Ironman, the half of the half of an Ironman on June or July next year, then there will be a Kadayawan next year,” The Mayor added.

Apart from sporting events and festivals the Mayor bared a more exciting Araw ng Dabaw celebrations.

“Next year will be our first Bahaghari ng Dabaw which will be a search for our LGBTQ (Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender, Questioning) representative, who will advocate the issues for LGBTQ community,” Mayor Duterte said.

Mutya ng Dabaw and her court. In next year’s Araw ng Dabaw celebration the Mutya will have counterparts representing men, LGBTQ and mother role-models. (photo Rudolph Alama)

Apart from the Bahaghari ng Dabaw a male pageant Ginoong Dabaw and a search for mother role models “Ilaw ng Dabaw” (Light of Davao) will have their initial staging in next year’s Araw ng Dabaw.

The Mayor said that the Ilaw ng Dabaw will bring to the community issues that concerns the family. Among these issues include teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, solo parenting.

“All in all, we are looking for a bigger, better, colorful 2019 for Davao City,” the Mayor said hoping to build on the achievements of 2018.

Tourism arrivals in Davao City reached 2-million in 2017, the first half of 2018 the city recorded 1.16 million tourists and is expected to surpass the target of 2-million tourists this year.

According to City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) OIC Generose Tecson they expect more visitors next year as there is an overwhelming response to the big sporting events such as Ironman 70.3 that will be held in February.

“In just five days of registration we already have 1,800 participants, which is the same number of participants in last year’s Ironman,” Tecson said. (PIA/RG Alama)