Davao City is set to welcome visitors as Duaw Dabaw 2026 unfolds this June, promising a month-long celebration that is not only festive but also safe and peaceful.
Aysee Romanda, Administrative Officer of the Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) bared on Thursday, during the Duaw Davao 2026 Media Launch, that a total of 8,200 personnel with 315 officers will be deployed daily to safeguard the month-long celebration of Duaw Davao.
“The safety and security cluster of Davao City is very excited to assist with the Duaw Davao 2026. We have a deployment of 8, 200 for the celebration of Duaw Davao, or that’s an average of 315 personnel daily that will secure the city,” she said.
There are also heightened safety measures in place, particularly during the Pride Parade, discouraging the use of pointed umbrellas and tumblers, though organizers are exploring hydration solutions to ensure the participants’ comfort.
Romanda emphasized that the PSSO will establish command posts at all Duaw Dabaw activity venues to guarantee comprehensive coverage and immediate response capacity.
“For all the activities of Duaw Davao, we will be placing a command post to make sure that all of the activities are safe and secure because the safety and security cluster of Davao City would also want the Duaw Davao to be not just festive and memorable but also safe, secured, peaceful and orderly,” she added.
Willenito P. Tormis Jr., Officer-in-Charge of the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), described this year’s edition as bigger and braver, noting that nearly half of the activities are new, including the Duaw Dabaw Pickleball Competition and the Duaw Dabaw Cheerdance Competition, which are expected to draw strong participation and crowd excitement.
“Nag sugod pa lang ta. There are exciting things, exciting activities in store for the whole month of June (We’re just getting started. There are exciting things, exciting activities in store for the whole month of June,” Tormis added.
The festival will officially kick off on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Rizal Park. CIO
Written by: N. Malasado
Edited by: A. Nawal