IPs discouraged from coming to city this Xmas

The City Government of Davao discourages anew the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) from coming down to the city during Christmas season due to health and safety reasons.

With the upcoming Pasko Fiesta of the city, Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre said they will try to bring the events to the far-flung areas so as not to risk the IPs’ health and safety in coming down to the city just to attend the celebration.

“Gusto man gud nato sa city na dili na sila [IPs] mangnaug diri, pero di man gyud na maiwasan. Muanhi gyud sila sa aron mamasko, atong gina-discourage na (We discouraged the IPs not to go down to the city to celebrate Christmas, but it cannot be avoided),” Alejandre said, during the Pulong-pulong ni Pulong (PPP) last Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

“This event is purely government, wala ta’y partner ani nga private sector. Ang tuyo ani is dal-on ang kalingawan sa mga barangays and different districts sa Davao (The Pasko Fiesta is purely government, we do not have any private partner on this. The reason is to bring the events closer to the barangays and the different districts in the city),” he said, referring to areas like Marilog, Paquibato, among others.

Alejandre further said if the IPs would go down to the city just like what they have been doing every year, they will have to sleep at the gymnasium where there is no proper sanitation.

“Mao na ginatuyo nato na kita na lang gyud ang muadto sa ila just to celebrate the Yuletide season (That is why we will go there for them just to celebrate the Yuletide season),” he said. /